South Ribble and Lancashire County Councils have agreed to work together to create a new office complex in the town centre.

The new building, which would house more than 700 staff, would replace the Civic Centre on West Paddock and county council offices in south Lancashire.

It would be home to 250 South Ribble Council workers as well as 500 county employees.

If plans are given the go-ahead, the new building would be constructed next to the current South Ribble Council offices.

But the move will only get the green light if a buyer can be found for the Civic Centre which is believed to be worth a seven-figure sum.

And it will go ahead even though the councils have £15m locked in Icelandic banks.

Coun Cliff Hughes, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration and planning at South Ribble, said: "Moving to a new building with Lancashire County Council offers significant opportunities to provide a better range of services to residents of South Ribble in a more efficient and cost effective way.

"The additional jobs will create extra footfall in Leyland and contribute towards the regeneration in line with the town centre masterplan."

Plans to move the council offices were first mooted as part of the Leyland Masterplan in 2006. But proposals to create a new building in Hough Lane have been shelved.

The new premises would be more sustainable and energy efficient, which they hope will help reduce their fuel costs over the long term.

Staff from the two councils would share entrances, lifts, meeting rooms and a car park. South Ribble would also have its own council chamber and customer contact centre.

It is hoped the new premises would also boost Leyland's regeneration by encouraging more people to visit the town centre.

Coun Tony Martin, cabinet member for resources at the county council, said: "This is a very important part of the county council's plan to create three main office hubs in the east, north and south of the county to reduce the amount of accommodation we need.

"The more money we can save behind the scenes in administration, the more we can invest to improve and protect frontline services."

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