DARWEN’S Heritage Trails have been relaunched to encourage visitors and pride in the town.

Darwen Civic Society, with funding from the Lloyd Trust, has erected plaques on 27 historical buildings featured on two set walks in the town, and reprinted 1,000 pamplets with supporting information.

Gordon Holden, who has led the relaunch with the Rev Geoff Tolley, said: “People never look at things around them, and this relaunch is to make people aware of what we have here in Darwen.

"We have more architectural gems here than most other towns.”

Two pamplets – one with a short, town centre walk, and another which takes in Bold Venture and Whitehall Parks – are now available from Darwen Library.

Buildings featured include the Technical School, New Inn pub, Belgrave Chapel, Town Hall and St Peter’s Church.

The plaques were officially unveiled yesterday by the Civic Society, MP Jake Berry and acting mayor Karimeh Foster.

Mr Berry said: “We are blessed with both historic architecture and wonderful countryside.”

“I am a keen walker myself and welcome the opportunity to encourage others to make use of our local trails.”