LONDON'S cultural elite are getting a glimpse into the work of a Darwen firm.

One of the capital's most historic venues reopened this weekend, and Shaw's of Darwen helped make it all possible.

Shaw's, based at Waterside, helped carry out a massive restoration project on the London Coliseum, famous for being the home of the English National Opera.

The £41million project involved a complete overhaul of the outside of the building, housing the capital's largest theatre auditorium.

Shaw's, who specialise in terracotta, sculpted sets of lions and slaves for the building's landmark tower, which the firm also re-clad.

Jon Wilson, spokesman for the firm, said: "We are very proud that we were involved in such a scheme, especially as it is such a high-profile job.

"It stands as a testament to the skills of our workforce. It's the people who made the things that should take the credit."

A reopening party was held on February 21, when most of the scaffolding was taken down for the first time. But the weekend's performance, Wagner's The Rhinegold, was the first show to take place at the Coliseum.

The venue holds 2,364 people, and was built in 1904. In the sixties the building became a cinema, and much of the original features were painted over or hidden.

Now the building has been restored to its Roman-style original plans.

Mr Wilson said: "The end result looks great. Now they have dropped the scaffold it really does look good. We haven't been invited to a show yet but I think there will be something for us later on!

"We were picked because thankfully we have retained the skills over the years. Really we are the only company in the UK to be able to carry out this type of work."