RECENTLY town centre statues have become something of a talking point with calls for some of them to be removed due to their association with figures from history with controversial pasts.

In 1984 a massive crane was brought in to lift the statues off from the top of Accrington’s impressive market hall. But it was all in a good cause.

After decades of being exposed to the elements and pollution first from smoke and then latterly cars and buses, the decision was taken to renovate the figures.

The sculptures which depicted six figures with fruits and animals signifying a successful harvest were the work or Liverpool artist Joseph Rogerson who was commissioned to carve them by architect, James Francis Doyle who was responsible for building the market hall in 1860.

The six figures were lifted off their plinths on the roof either side of the market hall clock and taken away for restoration.