AN EAST Lancashire town's industrial heritage has been saved for future generations.

The Aspen Colliery, off Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, are home to beehive coking ovens, known locally as the 'fairy caves' which played a key part in Lancashire's industrial past, has been removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

After being heavily used in the 19th century, vegetation took over the site and tree roots began to destabilise the rocks.

It was added the Risk Register in 1998, and its condition continued to deteriorate as it was subject to anti-social behaviour.

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However, repair work was carried out by owners Hyndburn Council, Regenerate Pennine Lancashire (now Growth Lancashire) and Historic England, which was completed in spring.

Now its future has been confirmed after being removed from the 'at risk register'.

Cllr Paul Cox, deputy leader of Hyndburn Council, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant news.

“It’s good to see that investment from outside funding is coming in to the borough, it’s fantastic.

“I think preserving these historical landmarks is vitally important. It’s looking good for the future.”

A Hyndburn Council spokesman said: "Hyndburn is proud of its industrial heritage and the unique contribution that Accrington and its surrounding townships made to the industrial development of the nation.

"They are a monument to the forgotten who worked, and died, mining and processing coal in the area."

Vladimir Pejcinovic at Growth Lancashire said: "This site is a symbol of Accrington’s significant contribution to Britain’s industrial development.

"It is fitting that these structures are saved as a monument to Accrington’s past industrial achievements."

More than £40,000 of grant funding was given to the project from several historical and regeneration groups.

A Historic England report found the beehive coking ovens to be the most complete 19th century example in the North West and one of only 11 to survive in the country.

Coal mining is thought to have begun at Aspen in the early 19th century and the coking ovens were used to burn off impurities in coal to produce the higher value, higher quality coke.

Production continued for around a hundred years and employed thousands of local people until the colliery closed in 1930.

In 1977, the site became a Scheduled Monument, the highest level of protection afforded to heritage in England.

Prior to the repair two of the banks of ovens partially collapsed, and the third was 'likely to follow'.

Historic England and Hyndburn Council have also entered in to an agreement which will see scrub cleared from the site for the next five years.

Charles Smith at Historic England said: “It’s fantastic that after almost 20 years on the Heritage at Risk Register, the rare beehive ovens at Aspen Colliery are now ready to face the future.

"We’re looking forward to seeing interpretation developed at the site to add to people’s enjoyment and understanding of this unusual part of Oswaldtwistle’s heritage.”