Wall accidentally demolished by United Utilities becomes backdrop for nude photoshoot

The ruins of Drinkwater Farm wall on Anglezarke Moor's Great Hill, between Darwen and Chorley, were 'accidentally' demolished by contractors working for United Utilities at the beginning of the month.

Photos taken by locals show the damage contractors caused while they were carrying out work to create a turning area for emergency service vehicles in preparation for moorland fire season.

United Utilities said they would make arrangements for one of their contractors to rebuild the wall, but that has yet to happen, and early last week, a photographer called Max Knowles, who is a member of Chorley Photographic Society went up to the site, with a model, and carried out a nude photoshoot.

His moody black and white images show the ruined wall in all its glory, with a naked model seductively draped over the top of it.

Historian, Boyd Harris, said he was in the process of writing to United Utilities about the demolition and how to put it right, and was including before and after photos of the wall.

The wall at Drinkwater Farm, on Great Hill, close to Roddlesworth, was demolished

He said: "I’ve not heard anything from United Utilities about rebuilding the wall at Drinkwaters yet.

"They said they'd rebuild the wall but I don’t expect it to be done any time soon.

"I think it would be sensible to establish direct contact with them to agree how to proceed and hopefully include an information (interpretation) board.

"I am a member of Chorley Historical and Archaeological Society so will write to them on behalf of the Society."

Outrage as United Utilities destroy stone wall ruins on moorland near Darwen

Mr Harris and other avid walkers and historians were left outraged after the ruins were demolished, but a spokesperson for the water company said: "We’re doing preparations for moorland fire season. The digger is creating a turning area for vehicles, should they unfortunately need it.

"Our work to widen the turning circle of the access track is now complete and will allow fire-fighting vehicles to operate in the area should they be needed again this year.

"We're not demolishing the ruined farmhouse. Our contractor noticed that a section of one of the walls was unstable while he was working in the vicinity.

"He took the decision to reduce the wall height and make it safe while he was there so that it wouldn’t fall or injure members of the public.

Max Knowles took the photos last week, after spotting a rare opportunity to create something arty from a piece of history

"We support his swift action and we're making arrangements for the wall to be rebuilt by one of our skilled contractors so it remains a safe space that walkers can continue to visit and admire for years to come."

A spokesperson for United Utilities said they have appointed a specialist stone-waller and works will begin shortly.

They said: "Preparations to rebuild the wall are well under way.

"We have appointed a specialist stone walling contractor and work should start in two or three weeks."