DARWEN is to get a second Jubilee Tower – built out of Lego bricks.

The miniature replica in the town’s market hall will celebrate a remarkable anniversary by the reigning Monarch.

In September, Elizabeth II will have reigned longer than her famous predecessor Queen Victoria.

The 25,000 Lego bricks used to build the five foot tall companion to Darwen’s famous Jubilee Tower will be sold to sponsors to raise money for charity.

The original 85 foot high stone structure overlooking the town was built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and was opened to the public in 1898.

It is 85 feet in height and walkers can climb to the top via the internal staircase to admire the views of North Yorkshire, Morecambe Bay, Blackpool Tower, Cumbria, the Isle of Man, North Wales, Derbyshire, elsewhere in Lancashire, and surrounding moorland.

The Lego scheme is the brainchild of Darwen Rotary Club.

Organiser and Rotarian John Jacklin said: “We believe this is a terrific project to give people the opportunity to raise funds for local charities and celebrate a remarkable achievement by the Queen in exceeding the reign of Queen Victoria.

“We have engaged a special designer to draw up plans for the Tower which will be built in stone-coloured bricks.

“It will be five feet tall, constructed in the Market Hall annexe, and will stay there as a memorial of Darwen’s history.

“We are inviting charities and other local organisations like schools and churches to participate by obtaining sponsors.

“Sponsor forms will be issued to those taking part and they will nominate the organisation or charity they wish to benefit from their fundraising.

“When they have completed their fundraising the sponsor forms are to be returned to the Rotary Club with 15 per cent of the money raised going to the club’s charitable work and towards expenses.

“The balance of 85 per cent will then go to their chosen recipient.

“The sponsored bricks are then added to the Tower.”

Mr Jacklin said people would be able to visit the building at any time when the market was open, but actual building work would take place on Fridays and Saturdays between 10am and 2pm.

The official launch of the project will take place at 11am on Friday, September 11.

It will be attended by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Kam Kothia and the Deputy Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Hussain Akhtar who will lay the first foundation bricks.

Sponsor forms are available from John Jacklin on 01254 771367 or by e-mailing johnjackl in@homecall.co.uk.