Blackburn with Darwen

Blackburn with Darwen, unitary authority, north-western England. On April 1, 1998, the Blackburn Borough Council that had administered the area, in conjunction with Lancashire County Council, was replaced by Blackburn with Darwen unitary authority. The administrative body is responsible for the provision of all local government services, including those previously provided by the county council. Although administered separately, Blackburn with Darwen remains geographically part of Lancashire. The area of the unitary authority is 137 sq km (53 sq mi) and includes Blackburn, Darwen, and surrounding villages and parishes.

The area's manufactured goods are diverse, including electric equipment, paper products, chemicals, and textiles. The cathedral church of St Mary the Virgin is in Blackburn, and there is a college, a museum, and an art gallery. New developments include a large retail park and an ice arena. Blackburn Rovers Football Club plays at Ewood Park, and were champions of the Premier League in 1995. Blackburn was a wool-trading centre as early as the 13th century. By the 17th century it was known for a linen fabric called Blackburn checks. The industrialization of the textile industry in the town during the Industrial Revolution was aided by the construction (1816) of the Leeds-Blackburn-Liverpool Canal and by the abundance of coal and limestone in the area. Population 137,471 (2001).