THE granddaughter of a man who used to run a steam-powered mill engine said he would be "turning in his grave" at its current state.

Lesley Ridgway, 53, was only a child when her grandfather, Edwin 'Ned' Taylor, ran the Bowling Green Mill, on Bolton Road, Darwen.

The blue steam engine from the mill now sits on display outside India Mill and forms part of a heritage trail through the town.

But it has fallen into disrepair and its poor condition last month prompted residents to demand the piece was restored.

The engines are covered in hundreds of cigarette ends, rust and graffiti.

They said it was a poor reflection on Darwen that such a vital part of the town's heritage was so neglected.

Ms Ridgway said she had happy memories of visiting him on her way to school to see him tending the huge machines used for cotton spinning and weaving.

She said: "He knew every single bit of the engine.

"If anything went wrong, even though he was the mill manager, he would be the one to repair it.

"Every day I drive past it on my way to work and shudder at the state it's in. My late mother used to say that grandad would turn in his grave if he could see it today.

"My family always knew it as grandad's engine' and ever since it's been part of the heritage trail, the plaque has never said where it has come from or how it was used."

Council bosses have said the piece was of great significance to the town and have pledged to improve its condition during the next financial year.

Ms Ridgway, who now lives in Hill Crest Road, Blackburn, welcomed the promise but said she wanted a plaque to be placed on the site.

She said: "It's important to get the history of the machines and Darwen's heritage correct and in place for the future.

"I really want to be there when they do restore the engine and I want to see them put a plaque on it as well.

"The whole family would be very proud."