THIS massive piece of equipment will transform the power of the River Calder in Whalley into electricity.

The Archimedean screw, which cost more than £200,000, was delivered to the site of the Whalley Community Hydro on Monday.

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The 12-metre long 13-ton mechanism arrived a day early and had to be kept overnight in the Judge Walmsley pub car park in Whalley New Road.

More than 100 people watched it being lowered into place yesterday, with photos and ‘selfies’ being posted overnight on social media sites.

It will generate 100kW of hydroelectric energy from the river as the weight of the flowing water turns it.

It was developed and manufactured for the social enterprise organisation by Spaans Babcock in Holland. The screw, which is 3.6 metres in diameter, is designed to improve the ecology of the river as it incorporates an improved fish pass, allowing fish to travel upstream more easily to access the upper reaches of the river.

The £750,000 project was set up in February 2010 with Longridge-based William Pye beginning construction this year, after years of fundraising. It is expected to be finish in November.