Blackburn is a large town in Lancashire, situated on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley and bisected by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution as a major centre of cotton weaving, and today it serves as the administrative centre of the Blackburn with Darwen unitary authority. The town is home to Blackburn Cathedral, a thriving multicultural community, Blackburn Rovers FC, and the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital.