A DERELICT Rossendale mill which has been a target for arsonists for years is to be demolished.

Albert Mill hit the headlines in 2009 after a firefighter was injured while tackling a huge blaze at the building.

A year later the Whitworth building was torched again with around 80 firefighters called after flames engulfed three floors.

Council chiefs welcomed the move to knock it down after years of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Alan Neal, mayor of Whitworth Town Council, said he hopes the site will be used for housing.

He said: “It has taken seven years but it is finally being demolished.

“We have a lot of people going in and out setting fire to it despite notices saying ‘this building will fall down on you and kill you’.

“We had some on Tuesday night.

“I would say about two to three times a week we have had to call the fire brigade or police out.

“The building is now being pulled down and it will take about two weeks.”

He said the building, which is in Market Street, has been an eyesore since it stopped being used in around 2008.

“I suspect it will end up being used for good quality housing.

“It is a brownfield site so is an ideal alternative to building in the countryside.

“I am looking forward to it moving forward.”

He said he expected a planning application for housing to be submitted to Rossendale Council within the next couple of months.

“I know people will say more housing will bring more traffic. My argument is it is better to have local housing for local people that protects the libraries, leisure facilities and schools,” he added.

The fire service also welcomed the move after Bacup firefighter Chris Farrow broke a bone in his back when he fell through a hole in the floor in 2009.

Fire spokesman John Taylor said he remembered visiting Chris in hospital after the incident.

He said: “Although firefighters take precautions to stay safe this illustrates the hazards they face.

“Derelict buildings are a target and whatever can done to reduce the consequences in the future, whether that is demolition, we can’t argue with that.”