NATURE-LOVING industrialists have suspended a delicate repair operation on a Grade Two listed landmark to allow birds of prey to nest.

Brookhouse Composites, of India Mill, Darwen, has asked contractors working on the mill's landmark chimney to remove scaffolding from the structure so that peregrine falcons which nest their annually, can return for the season.

John Fryer, from Brookhouse, explained: "The birds generally prospect for a nest around mid-March and the young leave the nest in July or August.

"We have asked the contractors to remove the scaffolding as the chimney has been used by the birds for nesting for many years."

Structural engineers from Best contractors, Manchester, have been working on the mill chimney for several months carrying out costly repairs to the chimney.

The delay in work to allow the birds to nest will add more to the cost, but Mr Fryer said the company is more concerned that the falcons do not lose valuable nesting space.

The chimney is being repaired as part of a £1 million refurbishment at the former textile factory.

Work is under way within the premises themselves on a major refurbishment programme which it is hoped will attract new jobs to Darwen.

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