A £12,000 appeal to immortalise scenes from Darwen's past and present in stained glass has reached its goal.

In just four months, £7,000 has been raised for the window at St Peter's Church to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Grade II listed building.

The congregation raised £5,000 at the end of last year and now, even though more is needed, the Rev Andrew Holliday has ordered the window which will be installed in less than six months.

Blackrod-based glassworker Linda Walton, of Design Lights, a member of the British Society of Master Glasspainters, will paint the design which features India Mill, Dar-wen Tower and the trams which used to run in the town. In January, Mr Holliday asked people to donate in memory of lost loved ones as part of a lasting tribute and the community, including individuals, businesses and local organisations, has responded.

Mr Holliday said: "We have just about all the funding for it and the window is now ordered.

"The window will not be with us much before the autumn because of the beautiful complexity of its design.

"This has been one of the most touching appeals because we have not had to do fundraising. All the money has been donated in memory and people have given us gifts.

"We have been absolutely thrilled by people's response, they have been very generous."

The window will also depict mining and weaving, historical industries of Darwen, and show the church, congregation and railway line.

Mr Holliday hopes the window will capture Darwen's past but also reflect the present as the face of the town changes through regeneration works.

He said: "I thought if we are not careful we are going to lose more of the history of Darwen and that's why the design is the way it is. It reflects the early days and the landmarks of Darwen."

Once the window is installed, a special service will be held when all those who donated will be invited to welcome the window to its new home.