A FAMOUS landmark is being miniaturised and will march into town.

Decorative railings along the A666 through Darwen town centre will soon be topped off with a series of little Darwen Towers six inches tall.

The black metal railings will protect a series of plants and shrubs designed to guide pedestrians to the safest crossing places. And the gold coloured finials, in the shape of the town's tower, will remind residents and visitors of Darwen's heritage and mark next year's centenary of the real tower.

The landscaped area will replace the former raised flowerbed and is being installed by Blackburn Council following consultations with local people and Lancashire County Council.

The work is part of Blackburn's environmental enhancement programme and it is planned to extend the railings to include the area outside Greenwood's outfitters.

Coun Gail Barton, chair of the council's development services committee, said: "This imaginative design extends the council's investment in Darwen and demonstrates out commitment to public consultation, for the project has been carried out after listening to what local people had to say."

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