DARWEN Tower, which has stood sentinel over the town for well over a hundred years, needs urgent renovation work, the Friends of Darwen Tower have revealed.

FoDT member Graham Morris explained: "We had a close look at the tower a few weeks ago and realised it wasn't in good shape. The first step then was to commission a detailed, professional report and we now have it.

"We had thought that £25,000 might cover the work and we were confident we could raise most of it with a lot of hard work and good friends.

"Every Darrener loves the tower and the thought of losing it from the landscape was just too awful to contemplate.

"However, after the report we reckoned that it would take twice as much, probably spread over two summers. It's not work that can be done in damp weather."

Blackburn with Darwen Council is taking an interest. Environment director Martin Eden and his team have been given a copy of the report and are expected to go through it shortly with Friends' officials.

Coun Brian Taylor has had a long interest in Darwen history and he said: "A quick fix won't solve the problems. Renovation work is becoming vital. The Friends are putting in a lot of time on it and we appreciate it."

Major work will be necessary on the access to the top viewing platform, while the report has highlighted that the concrete landing and iron supports are 'in very poor condition' and areas 'are in danger of falling.'

There was a further FoDT inspection of the area a few days ago and it confirmed the problem and offered several solutions –none of them cheap.

Doors and windows are missing, some blocks of sandstone are cracked and the tower will need repointing with a suitable lime mortar, as a matter of urgency.

There are other problems with the Grade II Listed building - heavy rainwater swilling down the inside and cracks between the heavy steps around the base.

FoDT chairman Harold Heys said: "We will be keeping a close eye on developments. Blackburn with Darwen Council has put £10,000 aside towards the renovation this year but that will surely have to be reviewed now that the scale of the problem is becoming clear."

The tower was built in 1897-98 to mark the Freeing of the Moors and Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

It has undergone two major renovations – in 1947 and some 25 years later after an appeal led by Coun Dr Bill Lees. The WEC Group spent about £30,000 replacing the dome after it blew off a few years ago.

Meanwhile, the 1946 golden jubilee souvenir of the Freeing of the Moors 120 years ago has been reproduced and will go on sale at the Heritage Centre.