THE restoration and repair of an East Lancashire moorland landmark will start next month.

Councillors hope to award the contract for the upgrade of Darwen Tower in the next three weeks with work starting on site in early April.

The restoration of the Grade II listed building is due to be completed by September.

The timetable for the £305,000 upgrade is revealed in a report to Blackburn with Darwen Council's Executive Board meeting on Thursday.

It asks the senior councillors to authorise the selection of one of five specialist contractors who have bid for the work.

It will be paid for out of £225,000 from the government's Darwen Town Deal, £70,000 raised through local fund raising led by Darwen Rotary and a £10,000 grant from the council.

The scheme will see the addition of stainless-steel engraved plaques to building's observation deck, new steel supports for its upper landing and the replacement of rainwater pipes, signage, broken and missing glazing, and ground and first floor doors. It includes the repointing and consolidation of walls and repairs to handrails, landings and steps.

The report says: "Darwen Tower is a Grade II listed octagonal Jubilee Tower which was built in 1898 by public subscription to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

"The Tower is located high upon Darwen Moors and is exposed to the elements, it is in very poor condition and needs to be repaired and restored.

"The location of the Tower is what makes it iconic, but it is also its weakest feature.

"In order to ensure wildlife is protected, the council has commissioned an ecologist and bat consultant to produce a method statement to protect bats and ground nesting birds.

"We are confident the repair works will be completed between April and September 2021.

Darwen East's Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne said: "I am over the moon the work is proceeding so quickly. The protection of bats and rare ground nesting birds is absolutely right."

Cllr Phil Riley, the council's regeneration boss, said: "I am really pleased to be progressing this important project. It is vital we do it properly."

Borough Conservative group leader Cllr John Slater said: "This is very good news that the money from the government's Darwen Town Deal is being used so quickly for the benefit of the people of Darwen and the wider area."

The report to councillors adds: "The repairs to Darwen Jubilee Tower and installation of interpretation boards will encourage more people to walk onto the moors and to visit the tower."