This imposing building, pictured here in 1971, was once a familiar landmark in Bacup.

Ross Mill, Bacup, 1971 (Picture: Newsquest)Work on building Ross Mill began in 1906 and it opened six years later. The ornate spinning mill, built mainly in brick would close in 1981 and would be badly damaged by a fire the following year.

The impressive chimney was constructed using more than 1,500 tons of bricks.

An interesting side note - on the back of the photo, the sub editors had put a message asking if the chimney could be ‘straightened’ in the darkroom before the picture was published.