A FASCINATING story behind one of Blackburn's statues was revealed in 1968.

It was an unusual one because the tribute to William Henry Hornby was paid for by one of his workers, much to the annoyance, it was said, of his relatives.

The heart warming tale of a grateful cotton worker, who left instructions in his will for a stone to be erected to his employer, was told in the Telegraph when it was moved from the bottom of Limbrick, as it had become an obstruction to increasing traffic.

Ald Hornby was the first mayor of Blackburn and he was renowned as a forceful personality, being widely known as 'Th'Owd Gam Cock'.

He owned Brookhouse Mills, where one of his workers was one John Margerison, who was a roller coverer when he retired, after almost half a century of service.

He lived in Brookhouse Lane, a widower with no children and when he died in 1907, his estate was revealed to amount to £5,989.

In his will one of his bequests was for a statue of his boss, while another was for £600 for a peal of bells at St Michael's Church, where he regularly worshipped.

It was reported that these provisions caused considerable discussion in the Brookhouse district, but Mr Margerison held all the members of the Hornby family in high esteem and had always regarded William Henry as a model employer, as did many more.

His selection as mayor after the Incorporation of Blackburn had been the unanimous vote of the council and during his term of office, the workers at Brookhouse Mills, proud of the honour bestowed on their master, presented him with an illuminated address and silver vase.

Two years later his operatives presented him with a candelabra worth 350 guineas and his wife with a Bible and prayer book 'in humble appreciation of her exemplary conduct as a Christian lady, friend and mother and as a token of sincere gratitude for her many acts of benevolence, usefulness and piety towards the aged and necessitous poor'.

The couple were regarded in such great affection that even during one rowdy election campaign, when a fanatical opponent held him by the lapels over the Blakewater, he was rescued by the Liberals, who 'esteemed him as a man, though they did not agree with his politics.'

Fifty years ago, after being taken from Limbrick, William Henry was standing in a council store yard in Byrom Street, until a new home could be decided.

His place was found - alongside the town hall in King William Street - and in 1970 he was unveiled by his 81-year-old grandson Sir Russell Hornby.