A POPULAR Darwen beauty spot was praised yesterday as a plaque was unveiled to mark its centenary.

Darreners have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of Sunnyhurst Wood to the public throughout the year but yesterday an official acknowledgement was made when the area's MP Janet Anderson revealed the plaque before onlookers.

The event, in front of the visitor centre, was launched by the chairman of the Friends of Sunnyhurst Wood, Dennis Gillibrand.

After the unveiling, Mrs Anderson said: "I live nearby and watch people coming down to the woods on a regular basis. It is such a wonderful amenity to have in Darwen and I am very proud of it. The Friends of Sunnyhurst Wood have done a brilliant job after the devastation of floods last year and bring together people in the community. We can see the good work they have done, all voluntarily and born out of the their love for Sunnyhurst Wood, which we all share."

The Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun Mike Barratt and his wife Moira, also attended the celebrations.

Coun Barrett said: "It is good to see so many people who use the woods and support it. I am one of those people and my grandchild and I spend an awful lot of time walking in the woods. They are a marvellous amenity. Blackburn with Darwen Council will do all it can to help and support the Friends in the work they put in. If we can do fundraising and bring money in we will do that."

Darwen poet Jim Atherton, who sells his poems for charity, read a poem specially written and dedicated to the centenary.

The woods were acquired by public subscription in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII and opened to the public the following year. The Old English Gateway, built in 1902, was a gift from local JP John Chadwick and the Potter Gateway, built shortly afterwards, was a gift from John Potter.