A PRECIOUS silver-gilt family heirloom with strong Blackburn links is unlikely to become part of the borough's art collection.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has confirmed that it will not be bidding for the candelabra and candelabrum which is expected to fetch up to £180,00 at auction later this month.
The centrepiece of the imposing work of art -- made up of two parts --was presented to the town's first mayor, William Henry Hornby, in 1853, by Blackburn workers.
Eddie Runswick, director of community, leisure and cultural services, said: "I think you can safely say we won't be bidding for it. Of course if somebody did decide to donate it we would certainly consider displaying it."
Former Blackburn Museum curator Adrian Lewis, established links with the Hornby family during his career. He said: "I have never heard of the candelabra and candelabrum before. It will be a shame if it goes out of the country to somewhere like America.
"It would be nice to have it in Blackburn, but I don't imagine it is a priority."
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