HERE'S a fine view of Darwen Iron Works, taken around the turn of the 20th century.

It was erected in 1870, adjoining the railway at Goosehouse, with its own large sidings and shunting engine, the works was successively owned by the Darwen Iron Company, Storeys in Lancaster and the Darwen and Mostyn Iron Company.

The ironworks started production in 1874.

In 1888, it employed 110 people on an average wage of £1 a week, or £127 in today's money, and in later years its workforce was more than 200.

Darwen people used to set their clocks by its 10pm works siren.

Slack trade after the First World War led to a series of long stoppages and temporary resumptions before the works closed in 1927.

Its 200 foot-high iron chimney and glare from the furnace provided a spectacle each night.

The demolition of the plant began in May 1936.