DARWEN'S controversial millennium marker statue will not be in place until the summer - at the earliest.

Council bosses have confirmed that the marker, the foundation stone of which was laid last year, would not be put in place until its £30,000 twin is ready to be placed in the newly-pedestrianised Church Street in Blackburn.

A leading councillor has accused the council of making a mockery of Darwen, while council bosses said it was just economic sense.

The bronze-coloured metal globe will be placed outside the town's three-day market.

The globes were funded through the Millennium Commission and the £20,000 Darwen structure was partly met by Sainsbury's supermarket.

Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Blackburn with Darwen and a Darwen councillor, said: "Once again, Darwen is being made to wait until something suits Blackburn.

"How ridiculous is it to lay the foundation at least a year before it is put in place? For one thing, it means it could be vandalised.

"I am very annoyed that once again, Darwen has had to fit around Blackburn's plans."

Rumours were rife throughout last summer of what would go on top of the foundation stone.

Many believed it would be a statue of Gandhi, who visited Darwen in the 1930s, but councillors then revealed it would be a globe.

Arguments then rumbled over the fact the Latin phrase 'Absque Labore Nihil' was placed around its base.

The saying comes from the town's coat of arms and historically translates as 'Without Labour Nothing'. But for the sign, it was changed to 'Nothing Without Labour'.

Some councillors claimed it was political stunt, but council staff said it was designed to make it more 'reader-friendly'.

Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration, said: "Due to considerable transportation costs, the two new millennium globes for Blackburn and Darwen have to be brought from Wales at the same time.

"Unfortunately this means Darwen has to wait until Church Street is ready for delivery. A date has not yet been set, but if all goes to plan both globes should be arriving in the next few months."