BRICK by brick, the Darwen Lego Tower is edging closer to completion, and now there is less than half of it to build.

Since the Rotary Club project began a year ago, the plastic version of the historic landmark has now reached 12,740 bricks with an end target of 25,000.

After a huge community effort from Darreners, who have been buying a brick for £1 and adding it to the model, the tower is now moving into the top section where the balcony is.

Along the way, the Rotary Club has donated around £8,000 to charities such as East Lancashire Hospice, Derian House Children's Hospice and the Macmillan Nurses.

John Jacklin, of the Rotary Club, said Darreners have been 'incredibly generous'.

He said: "We reckoned it would take us about three years to build this tower, but we may well do it a lot quicker now.

"I would hope that by the end of 2017, it will be finished.

"It has really made a difference recently with all the traders from the three-day market moving into the main building, it is so busy.

"The public have been amazing, their generosity has been incredible.

"Now we just need people to continue that generosity to help us reach our goal at the end of next year."

The model is being built in the market.

Local charities have been invited to obtain sponsorship for adding bricks with 15 per cent of what they raise going Rotary's charity fund.

The other 85 per cent is kept by the charity nominated on the sponsorship form.

Among the local firms that have been helping are the WEC Group, which built a metal frame around the tower, and Belgrave Carpets, which has covered the dais with artificial grass.

The original tower that stands over Darwen on the moors was erected in the late 1890's to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

The Rotary Club decided to mark Queen Elizabeth II exceeding Queen Victoria's reign by building the Lego replica.

Cllr Brian Taylor, leader of the town council, said: "This is a great idea and shows a great deal of imagination to come up with such an unusual scheme.

"Darwen Tower is one thing that everyone in and around Darwen identifies with, so it is inspirational."