THESE photographs show the poor state of some of Burnley’s most historic buildings.

The images have been taken as urgent repair work is carried out on two buildings in the Weavers’ Triangle.

And it is hoped that the work will preserve the buildings until they can finally be sold on by the council for further development.

Work is under way at Victoria Mill, in Trafalgar Street, which was built in 1855, and also on Neptune House, in Sandygate, which is thought to be the oldest building in the Weavers’ Triangle, built around 200 years ago.

The vital repairs are being funded through Burnley Council’s Townscape Heritage initiative, with support from the Northwest Development Agency.

Between them they have put together an urgent rescue package to repair and maintain the fabric of the listed buildings in the area, which is the subject of £250million regeneration proposals.

The flagship scheme was shelved last year after the recession brought major property projects to a shuddering halt.

Steve Rumbelow, chief executive at the council, revealed just how bad a state the buildings were in.

“It was essential the council stepped in to save the Weavers’ Triangle.

"Without our intervention these buildings would have collapsed,” he said.

“These buildings are both of our past, when we once led the world during the industrial age, and our future as when repairs are complete, and the economy picks up, we will seek to attract a developer and make these buildings come alive again.”