ELDERLY residents living in historic cottages built exclusively for loyal Darreners celebrated the 100th birthday of the landmark buildings.

To qualify as a prestigious homeowner in Lightbown Cottages in Owlet Hall Road, occupants must have been a resident in Darwen for at least five years and over the age of 60.

These were strict rules laid down more than a century ago by Timothy Lightbown, a well-known philanthropist who left money on his death to set up the Lightbown Cottage Home Trust in 1915 to build the the cottages.

Mr Lightbown, who was a freeman of the borough and mayor of Darwen, has his name on several community monuments in the area, such as the Lightbown Fountain in Sunnyhurst Woods.

The residents of the cottages threw a party to celebrate their iconic homes which the mayor of Darwen, Cllr Brian Taylor attended.

Pamela Shepherd, 73, of Lightbown Cottages, said: “It’s absolutely wonderful living here. I lost my husband two years ago and we were very happy here.

“It feels so safe and it’s so peaceful and my husband and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary here.

“We moved to Darwen in 1975 after being in Plymouth and I wouldn’t go back.”

The cottages, which are occupied by one couple and seven single residents, were substantially upgraded in 1984 with the aid of a Housing Association grant and now provide eight one-bedroomed homes.

One of the residents has lived at the cottages for 19 years and the oldest occupant will turn 90 this year. The trust is managed by a board of five trustees who all give their time voluntarily in support of the community.

Chairman Gordon Holden said that the celebration of 100 years was ‘excellent’.

He said: “We had a low-key celebration but it was just what the residents wanted. What started out as a damp day, soon brightened up and was enjoyed by all.”