WORK on repairing one of Blackburn's most imposing Georgian townhouses - which has links to the town's first mayor - has begun.

Currently home to the offices of Age Concern's Blackburn offices, 2 to 4 King Street was once the home of W H Hornby, a leading figure in the development of Victorian Blackburn.

Part of the historic facade of the building, above the charity's insurance offices, crumbled away two months ago.

Luckily no-one was hurt by the falling masonry but the incident did set back efforts to revamp some of Blackburn's most enduring landmarks.

Coun Alan Cottam, Blackburn with Darwen Council executive member for regeneration said: "Work funded by this phase of Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) should have been completed by the end of October.

"Unfortunately, before work could begin on the Age Concern building, on King Street, some of the rendering on the gable end wall collapsed.

"Repairs to the wall are now being carried out and the council has applied to the HLF for an extension to the date work must be completed."

The repairs work at King Street will cost around £105,000 - £70,000 of which will be covered by lottery funding.

The council has also applied for further funding to carry out repairs and reinstate features on other historic town centre buildings.