DARWEN'S clock tower, above the market hall, has been restored to its former glory after a £30,000 refurbishment.

The scheme, funded by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, was aimed at preserving the clock and bell for many years.

All the materials which had deteriorated through wear and tear have been replaced, or re-treated.

Rotten timber has been removed and replaced with new oak, and the tower has been re-painted using paint from Darwen-based Akzo Nobel Decorative Coatings Ltd.

The existing lead work has been cleaned and treated, and the slated roof on the clock tower has been refelted.

Work was due to finish by the end of November, but was put on hold during the recent bad weather.

The re-coating of the market roof is now under way.