A COUNCIL has said it may buy a derelict mill after its leader branded it a "blight" on Accrington.

Nigel Rix, chairman of Hyndburn First, the council's development arm, issued the statement after hearing that the prospective buyer of the old Karrimor Mill, on Eastgate, Accrington, has pulled out.

He said they would have to secure external funding, but the council would have to get involved if the four-storey brick mill is to be transformed as they wish.

"It's a blight on the town centre landscape. It's rather disgraceful," said Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe.

The warehouse has been derelict since Karrimor moved its operations to Clayton-le-Moors in 1980 and has become increasingly dangerous after youths and vandals targeted the premises. The rucksack and fleece manufacturer operates from a factory and outlet store on Clayton-le-Moors Industrial Estate, off Blackburn Road, and is now owned by South African firm Cullinan Holdings.

Mr Rix said Hyndburn Council may be able to secure funding through Elevate East Lancashire.

He said: "The news I have heard is the person who had the option to buy it has no longer got the option.

"He's examined the building and decided not to progress. I have asked the owner's agents to arrange a meeting with the owner.

"The market itself is not going to address this building and transform it as we would want.

"The first step would be to find a reliable funding source."

Coun Britcliffe added: "It would be very nice thing if someone would take the building on and build luxury flats."

Geoff Whittaker, Hyndburn and Rossendale Trade Union Council, said: "How long have we to wait before a shell like that falls down and hurts someone?

"These people ought to be brought to task and make the building secure. It's in a really terrible state. The children can get in and play there. Someone is going to get hurt."

Brendon Lyons, head of planning for Hyndburn Council, said: "We are keeping an eye on it and we would certainly be happy to look at it again.

"We were quite optimistic the prospective buyer was going to do something with it but that's lost now."

A spokesperson for Karrimor said: "We moved out of the old mill when the firm was a family run business.

"We don't own it and have nothing to do with it."

Mike Parsons, former owner of Karrimor, said: "It has a long history. It was owned by a company making parts for mining conveyer belts and a tannery before me and would be good for Accrington if the old building was transformed."