WORK is due to start in Darwen this week to transform a historic building which has stood empty for around 10 years into apartments.

And former ward councillor Derek Brindle is delighted the former Darwen Technical College is being put to good use after he campaigned to save it from falling into disrepair.

The 110-year-old building, on the corner of Union Street and Knott Street, has had some work done to it over the years but now it will be brought up to a high standard and turned into 34 self-contained apartments by Manchester-based Cottonloft Ltd.

The plans, which were approved subject to a section 106 agreement on specific details, will also involve partially demolishing the rear extension.

Mr Brindle, who formed Darwen Against Demolition, said: "It has taken 10 years but now we will finally see work starting on the building and I am delighted. I have been on site to talk to the chief architect and the plans all look very nice.

"The full refurbishment is due to start on June 18 and is expected to be completed within six months and they said they have already sold ten of the apartments off the plans.

"I'd just like to say thanks to all the people in Darwen who supported my campaign throughout the years and helped save the building. This is good news for Darwen."

The building was last used as Darwen Moorland High School's lower school in 1994 and has been up for sale on several occasions in the past ten years.

Lancashire County Council applied to demolish the building in 1994 but a 3,200-strong petition collected by the Darwen Against Demolition committee saved the building.

In September 1996, plans to turn it into a private school collapsed and other plans which followed never came to fruition.