A new online portal has been launched to residents of Darwen can give their views on how £20 million of new Whitehall cash could be spent on projects in Darwen.

The opening of the digital suggestion box - running until June 10 - comes as the government's 'Towns' Tsar Adam Hawksbee met with community leaders to discuss the £1.5 billion Long-Term Plan for Towns programme.

He said the scheme - which includes Darwen, Nelson, Accrington, Burnley and Rawtenstall - will make a real difference to those areas.

After the summit on Wednesday in 10 Downing Stree,t Mr Hawksbee told the Lancashire Telegraph: "The plan will mean the residents of Darwen, Nelson, Accrington, Burnley and Rawtenstall have a voice in deciding the investment in the future of their town.

"Each town must appoint a Town Board chair, who can’t be a politician.

"They must be a local leader, someone from the community who understands the priorities of people who live there.

"It’s down to them to drive the impact of the programme and make a change in local people’s lives, across the programme themes of high streets and heritage, safety and security, and transport and connectivity."

Responding to a question as to whether the scheme involving 75 towns across the UK (including 55 in England) would mean the money would be spread too thinly, Mr Hawksbee said: "Each town will receive up to £20 million of endowment style funding and support, which they can use as a catalyst for private investment and community capital.

"This funding can, and should, be used to invest in significant improvements to local people’s lives.

"I'm hoping that in 10 year's time, we start to close the challenges that meant these 75 towns were chosen to be part of the programme.

"On Wednesday I met with towns board chairs, including from Burnley and Darwen, who shared with me their enthusiasm to finalise their Long-Term Plans and get on with the job of delivering for their communities."

Town Board for Darwen chair Tracey Alcock is asking for residents and community organisations to use the new portal.

There’ll also be a separate online survey and drop-in events.

Ms Alcock said: "We’ll be listening to the priorities that residents tell us are important to them and look at how we can best spend the £20m of new government funding to help improve the town over the next decade.

"This new portal is a great way for residents, businesses and community groups to tell us about specific project ideas they have that can help make a real difference."

Deputy chair Cllr Phil Riley, leader of the borough council, said: "This new funding will build on the investment we’ve unlocked through the Darwen Town Deal – more than £100m.

"The Long Term Plan funding will help us focus on priorities that the town deal just couldn’t cover including improving our parks and open spaces."