LANCASHIRE'S first and last-surviving water-wheel came to the end of a 150 years of service.

The 20ft diameter wheel powered the entire woollen mill at Higher Mill, Helmshore but was replaced by an electric motor after it was no longer cost effective.

The 65 horse power wheel was not dismantled because owner Ross Whittaker wanted it to be used sparingly so that it could remain and was visited by historians from all over the country.

25 YEARS AGO

DEDICATED residents cleared out rubbish from empty, vandal-hit council houses on their estate.

Thirty parents and children from the Rosegate estate, Darwen, put on their overalls to fill skips and wheelbarrows.

Residents pressed the council to help them improve the image of their once proud estate.

10 YEARS AGO

FIFTEEN thousand homes were affected when a main supply pipe ruptured.

Water was shooting into the air at Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen, and water tanks were placed to ensure customers did not not go without.

The burst was between the Fishmoor Water works and the Earnsdale Service Reservoir, Darwen.

A spokesman for North West Water said the problem was with ageing pipes.