AN ORIGINAL stone floor has been uncovered by builders working on Accrington’s historic market hall.

Plans to install a modern floor have been scrapped after uncovering the Victorian pavings which will become one of the key features of the market hall’s multi-million-pound restoration.

Contractors Quarterbridge, Hyndburn Council’s project managers, say that with specialist restoration techniques the locally quarried stone flags, dating back to 1870, can even be given a hygienic, easy-clean finish.

The stone is still dark from years of grime, but Quarterbridge Project Manager Jonathan Owen said they would be ‘stunning’ once restored to their former glory.

He said: “It was an unexpected discovery because we had been led to believe that they had been ripped out and replaced with concrete years before. Once the restoration work is done they will be absolutely stunning with the right light. They are a dark honey coloured stone with a riven finish and it would be absolutely criminal to cover them up.”

Quarterbridge has already restored the iron work and glazing on the roof and is now working on the balcony.