A SCHOOL's historical calendar showing pictures of Rossendale now and then has been selling like hot cakes but the October picture has caused quite a mystery.

Fearns Community High School, Stacksteads, has produced 2,000 copies of the calendar, but only a couple of hundred are left.

The October pictures show Whitewell Bottom in the 1950s when Albert Works dominated Burnley Road East and the two halves of the mill were connected by a conveyor belt in a wooden gantry.

But the photograph shows the wooden gantry clad in what appears to be stone which is castellated and features several coats of arms.

The pictures were provided by Harry O'Neill, 73, of Brunswick Terrace, Stacksteads, who is a member of Bacup Natural History Society.

He has been collecting old photographs of Rossendale for 20 years and had three or four different shots of the arch.

Mr O'Neill said: "I think the structure was put up just after the war for a carnival and it was painted wood."

Historian John Taylor, of Fernhill Drive, Stacksteads, said: "We were various sorts of arches and things went up to celebrate the coronation and other major celebrations.

" and it sounded like thunder and lightning and you thought it might come down on top of you."

The archway was pulled down in 1957 and Albert Works, on both sides of the road, was pulled down in 1967.

Community and industry links teacher at Fearns Paul Kennedy said: "The October picture has caused quite a bit of interest.

"This year's calendar is priced £2 and is raising money for the PTFA.

"Two years ago we started printing the up-to date pictures in colour and so we have also off-set the cost of the calendar by getting advertising from local businesses."

If anyone is able to solve the mystery and explain exactly what the archway was constructed for please contact the Newsdesk on 01282 423161.