IT IS 12 months to the day since Darwen Tower’s dome was found in pieces on the moors above the town.

Overnight, strong winds blew the dome, which had been in place since 1971, to the ground.

Now, the replacement dome is ready and waiting to be placed on top of the tower that stands proudly over Darwen.

Apprentice engineers at Darwen-based WEC have worked hard to get it ready, and now the 900kg traffic grey dome is waiting for a special helicopter to put it in place, with plans to have this done later this month.

Jean-Yves Dziki, business development manager at WEC, said the new dome would last as long as the brickwork in the tower.

He said: “Because it’s made of stainless steel it will not come down. That is why it has taken so long. English Heritage took a while to make a decision because the last one was held in place by wood.

“We are painting it next week and then we need to get it put in place soon as the helicopter is currently in the area.

The dome has cost about £35,000 for WEC to build, this on top of the £100,000 project to build the replica Spitfire which is also planned to be put in the town.

Darwen councillors have sung the praises of WEC, saying the firm’s contribution to the town has been excellent.

Darwen town mayor Paul Browne said: “They’ve been a first class firm ever since they came into the town.

“What they have done for Darwen is second to none. Especially for the young apprentices.

“When the people of Darwen see the dome, and the Spitfire, they will be over the moon.

“I’m very proud to be mayor in this year when these developments are going ahead.”

Deputy chairman of Darwen Town Council Coun Steve Duncan said: “WEC has made a tremendous donation to the town.

“I believe WEC is something of a hidden gem in Darwen. I personally had never heard of it until I became a councillor, because it’s set back.

“But what Steve Hartley, the MD, does for the town is tremendous.”