WHEN so much of East Lancashire's heritage has been lost through failure in the past to realise its value, it is imperative that this mistake is not repeated when it comes to the fate of the truly historical gems that are the endangered mediaeval windows from what was the region's mother church.

They belonged to Blackburn Cathedral's forerunner, the ancient parish church of St Mary the Virgin in Blackburn, built in the reign of Edward III and were saved when it was demolished in 1819 by the 'father' of East Lancashire's local history, Dr Thomas Whitaker, who was vicar of Blackburn and Whalley.

Author of the seminal 'History of the Parish of Whalley,' he had the windows installed at the early 17th-century manor house of the Holme in Cliviger, seat of the Whitaker family from the 15th century until its sale in the 1950s.

Now, the future of the windows is uncertain - as the Holme, a former nursing home in recent years, was devastated in a suspected arson attack earlier this month and some, or all of it, may have to be demolished.

Faced with this prospect, church leaders are concerned at what will become of the old church windows and are already exploring acquiring them and finding them a new home - with Whalley's ancient parish church being mooted as a location.

These efforts deserve every support. And, surely, the ideal new home for the windows would be Blackburn Cathedral where, as part of our heritage, they truly belong.