TURTON Tower could be used as a wedding venue — if a collection of historic treasures is removed and shipped back to London.

The 600-year-old building houses a collection of historic paintings and antique furniture on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Portrait Gallery.

The collection, which includes a painting of Oliver Cromwell by Samuel Cooper, is so sensitive that it is protected by strict preservation regulations that prevent the tower being used for regular events such as weddings.

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council, which recently took ownership of the tower from North Turton Parish Council, is looking for ways to increase its income.

One of the ideas being considered is to use the tower to host civil wedding ceremonies.

Coun Jean Rigby said the tower could hold about 25 people, and receptions could be held in a marquee in the grounds or at the nearby Barlow Institute in Edgworth.

The tower also needs to be licensed and made to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and fire regulations before it can be used.

Coun Rigby said: “There’s a lot of potential for weddings at the tower, because people are moving away from hotels now.

“We can do them a better deal, but equally with the same care and attention that a hotel gives.”

She added that the historic paintings have no local connection to the tower, other than originating from the same period.

Jim Francis, from Turton Local History Society, said he would not mind if the collection was sent back, as long as a separate collection of local items remained.

Blackburn with Darwen Council, which is looking for budget cuts of up to £40million, has set aside a budget of £140,000 a year to run Turton Tower and capital costs of £200,000 to repair it.

Neil Evans, spokesperson for the National Portrait Gallery in London, said it was not always necessary to remove works provided measures were in place to protect them.

He said: “The National Portrait Gallery lends works to several museums and visitor attractions which, like itself, hold all kinds of events.

“We are very happy for the portraits to be displayed in them on a long-term basis because security and protection procedures are in place to cover these events.”

Bill Lovat, deputy director of culture leisure and sport, said: “The council is currently looking at the best use for Turton Tower to ensure it has a sustainable future.

“As part of that we are considering a number of aspects of all possible future options. No decisions have been made.”

l Three works on loan to the Tower from the National Portrait Gallery have been removed for conservation work but will be returned soon.