A PIECE of Clitheroe history which almost ended up on a rubbish dump is set to light up the town again.

The town's only remaining Victorian gas lamp is to be switched back on once the finishing touches have been completed.

Ribble Valley Council has restored the Waterloo lamp to run on electricity and it is soon to be back on its stand in the town.

Clitheroe historian Mr Cyril Ainsworth rescued the lamp just as it was about to be thrown away and was pleased to hear it could be working again.

He explained: "I saw the lamp at the Kirkmoor council depot and asked what it was. They told me it was an old lamp and said it was going to be thrown out.

"I told them it wasn't and took it home with me. It is an important piece of the history in that part of the town."

Mr Ainsworth handed the lamp to the council for restoration and work was eventually finished last week.

The lamp once stood in the middle of Waterloo Road, but was removed when the town's traffic system was changed.

The town's civic society has worked for several years to have the lamp and its stand put back. Last year the stand was installed next to Waterloo Road.

Craftsmen had to use pictures of the copper lamp taken when it was still in place in the road, because it had been damaged over the years.

The council's design and conservation officer, Mr Richard Kirkby, said he expected the lamp to be back in place within a short time and was just waiting for the electric wiring to be carried out.

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