SCHOOLCHILDREN in Darwen have been asked to come up with ideas for projects to help brighten up the town’s top attraction.

The Friends of Darwen Tower formed last year to help maintain the 116-year-old monument on the top of the moors.

And the group is hoping to get off the ground properly this year, with children from Darwen Vale and Darwen Academy asked to come up with ideas.

A meeting is to be held from 6.30pm next Tuesday at Bridge Street Sports and Social Club, where the six-strong committee will put together plans for the coming year.

Group treasurer Stephen Potter said the group was almost ready to begin work.

He said: “We have got children from Vale and DACA involved and we want to give them a chance to put forward ideas.

“We will see what they come up with and then take it from there.

“Ideas they have already suggested included a fun run to help raise money for the group and planting flowers around the tower to make it more attractive.”

Mr Potter said there had been a lot of interest in the group, with a number of people turning up to the meetings already held.

He said there was money in the bank ready to be used to fund the group’s projects.

Mr Potter also said recent vandalism at the tower was sad to see and those responsible should think about their actions.

He said: “The tower is an iconic feature of Darwen and it should be used and advertised in a way that reflects this.

“All that is going to happen if this vandalism keeps happening is they will lock it up, which would defeat the object.

“That is the last thing anybody wants to see.”

Anyone interested in helping the group with its projects can email Mr Potter at stephenpotter44@yahoo.co.uk