PART of Hyndburn's industrial past which has been left to rust in a park for more than 20 years is to be used in a new piece of public art.

Hyndburn Council plans to use a wheel from an engine donated by Church-based firm William Blythe in a new sculpture which will replace a controversial fountain in Accrington town centre.

The fountain, which cost £150,000 to build in 1999 and was supposed to be a showpiece complement to the regenerated Globe Centre, worked for only a few weeks and has since been branded a 'joke' by civic leaders.

Last month, the council revealed it planned to swap the fountain -- which is also in front of the council's Scaitcliffe House base -- for a landscaping scheme which would result in a more conventional square being created, along with a piece of public art.

Around £30,000 will be spent on the project, with designers asked to draw up a scheme which involves using the William Blythe gift.

It was once part of an Ashton Frost steam engine used in textile production at the India and Primrose mills in Church.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "We had a meeting with the public and some wonderful ideas came out of it.

"One popular idea was for us to copy the Eternal Flame which is in Arlington Cemetery in Washington, and dedicate it to the Accrington Pals.

"But we are working within a tight cash budget, and that was not possible.

"Using engine wheel will give us something to remind us of our proud past."

The idea is supported by the town's civic trust, whose chairman Alan Benson said it was appropriate site for the wheel because it was only 100 yards from the Globe Centre, which was once Howard and Bullough, where textile equipment was once made.

But Coun Jean Battle, opposition leader on the council, said: "I think the people of Church will be upset. If it is to be put anywhere, it should be in Church, where it was once used."