A DARWEN businessman has received the town’s thanks for his continual support with civic projects.

Steve Hartley was presented with a framed photograph of the replica Spitfire, built by his apprentices last year.

The picture, containing the words ‘The Darwen Spitfire. Darwen is eternally grateful’, was handed over by local history group Darwen Days, who have been helped financially and technically by Mr Hartley’s WEC Group in Junction Street.

Group founder Dave Owen said it was a ‘thank you’ not only from them, but from the whole town.

He said: “Without help from WEC we would be struggling.

“I know that we aren’t the only local group who have benefitted from Steve Hartley’s kindness and encouragement.

“The whole town is thrilled with the memorial.

“It’s bang in the town centre, you can't miss it, and it is wonderful.

“The framed photo is only a small token from this great little town of ours but we just wanted to say thank you from everyone.”

Mr Hartley said: “It was a lovely surprise. Darwen Days does a great job and we have been happy to help them.”

WEC employs more than 400 people and is one of the largest engineering and fabrication companies in the UK, working for industries such as aerospace, mining, exploration and defence.

As well as the Spitfire, Mr Hartley’s firm also replaced the dome on Darwen Tower after it was blown off during high winds and has recently agreed a lucrative sponsorship deal with local football team AFC Darwen.

Whitehall councillor Karimeh Foster said: “To me, Mr Hartley is a pillar of the community.

“He does not ask questions if you ask him to do anything. If it is about Darwen and the surrounding areas he just gets on with it.

“To him the local community is important and he will do anything to help local people.”