"Oldham Beyond" recommends the creation of enterprise areas and the conversion of the old town hall into shops

The project is made up of a partnership between the public, private and voluntary community sectors working closely with the borough council.

It has been inspired by regeneration work done in Spain, Holland and the USA and was also helped by input from more than 2,000 residents.

The plan aims to improve the town which was hit by race riots in 2002.

'Self-recovery'

David Rudkin, of consultants URBED, said the proposals are "unique in that they span the visionary and the practical".

"The vision shows that Oldham is facing up to its challenges with imagination," he said.

"The aim of the strategy is to set in motion a self-fuelling recovery by giving the borough an injection of purpose and confidence."

In the plan, URBED concludes the borough's regeneration should come simultaneously on many fronts, including transforming housing, setting up wealth creation schemes and tackling ethnic segregation in the borough.

Enterprise areas would be set up in Hollinwood and Mumps, where "high quality" business sites can be created, which have could transport links to Manchester and the city's airport.

The plan also includes illuminating the borough's 138 mills and extending the range of shopping in the town centre.

Cllr John Johnson, deputy council leader, said: "The launch of Oldham Beyond marks the start of the next stage involving local people.