THE history of a unique piece of Clitheroe’s heritage is to be showcased in a new exhibition.

The Pinnacle Project will tell the story of the purchase of the intricate and ornate stone by Sir William Brass MP and its presentation to the town for George VI’s coronation in 1937.

The pinnacle, or turret, originally formed part of the roof of the new Houses of Parliament after it had to be rebuilt following the Great Fire of 1834.

Sir William paid for the pinnacle to be transported and installed in a rose garden he also created at Clitheroe Castle.

The exhibition, which will run from Tuesday, July 4, will be hosted by the castle’s museum.

It comes after the town’s civic society worked to restore the Grade II-listed landmark which had fallen into disrepair.

The octagonal stone monument has four lions with shields at its base and is complete with cusped heads, gargoyles and crocketed finials.

Julie Bell, Lancashire County Council’s head of the libraries, museums, culture and registration service, said: “Apart from its heritage as originally being part of the Houses of Parliament, the pinnacle is integral to the memorial gardens and is loved by local people.

“It is important to Clitheroe as it is viewed as providing a direct link between the borough and the Houses of Parliament.

“This is also the only pinnacle, of the eight that were actually removed from the Houses of Parliament when the repairs were taking place, to still be accessible to the public. The others are in private gardens now, or no records remain about them unfortunately.”

Run by a sub-group of Clitheroe Civic Society, the conservation project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, as well as through support from Ribble Valley Borough Council.

Financial support was also received from Lancashire County Council, Clitheroe Town Council, the Rotary Club of Clitheroe, North Lancashire Clarion Club, as well as private donors.

The work to conserve the pinnacle includes the replacement of corroding internal iron elements and re-pointing the structure with suitable mortar in order to stop water entering and causing further damage.

It is anticipated that the repair, conservation and improved interpretation of the monument will be completed by the end of the year, with progress being recorded on a project website.