THE long-term future of two industrial heritage sites could be secured following the launch of a new feasibility study.

New partners Lancashire County Council and the National Trust have announced they will carry out a study to explore the future viability of Queen Street Mill in Burnley and Helmshore Mills in Rossendale.

A grant of £99,000 has been awarded to the new project by the Heritage Lottery Fund, which has also received funding from Arts Council England.

Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for community and cultural services, Peter Buckley, has said it is important the local authority and conservation charity seize the opportunity to find a way to secure the futures of the mills.

The Conservative councillor said: “Both Queen Street Mill and Helmshore Mills are of immense cultural and historical significance and it is important we seize this opportunity to work together to secure their long-term futures.”

Grade I-listed Queen Street Mill, which was featured in the film The King’s Speech, is the last surviving steam-powered weaving mill in the world. Helmshore Mills, first built in 1789, is renowned for transforming wool and cotton into yarn.

Earlier this year the two mills reopened for a limited time, three days a week between Easter and the end of October this year, and this will last until the end of 2019. This means the future of the mills, beyond 2020, remains in doubt.

The future of the mills were first cast in doubt in November 2015 after County Hall’s Labour administration decided to close them as part of budget cuts.

The current Conservative administration, led by Burnley-born Geoff Driver, made a promise to reopen them if he resumed his position of county council leader in May 2017 - which he did.

However in the face of £77m budget cuts by 2022, the cash-strapped authority is now looking for other ways to secure the mills' future with this new partnership.

Eleanor Underhill, assistant director of the National Trust in the North West, said: “The mills are a crucial part of Lancashire’s heritage and Britain’s industrial revolution. We want to play our part in helping more special places deliver public benefit for all.”

No proposals have been implemented but it is hoped that new potential new partners, including local community groups and businesses, will come forward to offer support.