BOSSES at a company in Darwen are hoping for help from tram experts after they discovered a strange object under a concrete floor at the premises.

Howard Ritherdon, managing director of Ritherdon &Co Ltd, in Lorne Street, said the circular wheel-type object was discovered by workmen who were digging up some old floor to replace it with new concrete.

He said: "We are based in the old Darwen steam tram shed so we don't want to throw it away in case it is of some historical tram interest.

"We wanted to see there are any tram experts in the area who may know what it is.

"The object is circular, dished and made from cast iron or steel. It is about 38in diameter, 1.5 inch thick, with a 4in deep flange around it.

"There is an 11in diameter hole in the centre and four equi-spaced lugs - which would grip to something - protruding from the outer edge.

"It looks at first sight like a very large, very heavy wheel, except for the lugs that stick out from the edge.

"It is not a very exciting object, and probably not of much use to anyone even if we could identify it, but bearing in mind where we found it we are interested to know what it is. At present it is on a pallet in one of our workshops."

Anyone who knows what the object may be is asked to contact the company.

Ritherdon's is a supplier of quality sheet metal work both locally and nationwide.