A HERITAGE campaign sparked off by one of the catalysts for the Industrial Revolution, is starting to take shape.

Supporters of Stanhill Village Residents and Fete Committee have begun to develop a three-and-a-half mile history trail devoted to James Hargreaves, who was born locally and invented the Spinning Jenny in 1764.

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Alongside Richard Arkwright and Samuel Crompton, he can lay claim to mechanising the spinning industry and kick-starting massive commercial and social upheaval in the north and beyond.

Historians will focus on his birthplace, but also include references to Robert Peel, the calico printing pioneer and grandfather of the future Prime Minister, and popular Victorian novelist William Westell, who lived at Stanhill Hall.

Working with community agency Bootstrap, the two-year project has been launched this week, using financial assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Andy Barnes, project co-ordinator, said: “The area is also very popular with walkers and cyclists and we hope that this heritage trail will add a further attraction for them. The Bootstrap team has kindly agreed to undertake work on upgrading some of the footpaths and this allows the project to deliver a walk around the village that is pleasant and attractive for visitors.”

Bootstrap’s Mick Woods said: “Bootstrap delivers a wide range of training for job applicants, including confidence building, job search techniques, preparation for interviews and the transition to employment.

“By engaging with projects such as Stanhill Heritage, it allows our teams to learn new skills whilst adding value to community activities.”

Heritage leaders worked with Hyndburn Council, West End Primary School, Stanhill Methodist Church and the Lancashire Community Heritage Team, to secure the HLF funding.

Hargreaves, who is believed to have fathered 13 children, was an illiterate handloom weaver when he developed the Spinning Jenny. His innovation was initially welcomed but opposition grew when the price of cotton fell.

Hargreaves was a weaver for Peel, who had a small calico printing factory at Brookside.