TWO buildings brought back to life by the Heritage Trust for the North West open their doors to the public on September 14 and 15.

Guided tours will be on offer at Higherford Mill in Barrowford and St Mary's Church in Nelson as part of the Civic Trust's Heritage Open Days scheme.

Higherford Mill was in a dilapidated condition when bought by the Heritage Trust in 1999.

Most of the window frames were rotten and the roof and floors needed major repairs.

Now the first phase of restoration has been completed with new beams for the roof and floors and replica windows installed.

Individual workshops have been set up for use by local artists and craftspeople. Tours are available free of charge and will set off from the Pendle Heritage Centre at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.

St Mary's Church, a Grade II listed building with a 185ft high spire which dominates the skyline of Nelson, has also been restored and this will be its third year open to the public.

The first phase saw extensive repairs to the two aisle roofs and measures to secure the building against vandals. It will be open to visitors between 11am and 4pm with guided tours available, taking in the industrial hamlet, which grew around the church.