A COUNCILLOR has joined the fight to save Blackburn's Pavilions from the bulldozers and see them restored to their former glory.

Coun Derek Brindle, who has led the fight to save Darwen Technical College from beiong flattened, admits he is stunned that the council could even consider demolitioning the Victorian landmarks.

The Darwen councillor, who has the backing of English Heritage, Ancient Monuments and the Civic Society, said: "As far as I am concerned the council haven't got a chance to have the buildings demolished and if people care to go into the planning department to see the thick file compiled on them, they will see my views are well supported."

He added: "It is a crying shame that we are allowing listed buildings in the borough to fall into a state of disrepair. The Pavilions are unique to this town and we should do all we can to preserve them. Structurally they are as sound as when they were built in the 1840s and all they need is a bit of love and care and a bit of money spent on them."

Both Rita Wakeley from the Chamber of Trade, and Richard Prest from the Civic Society, admitted they were puzzled by the fact that the council has still not contacted them about the future of the Church Street buildings.

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