MORE than 100 years of history disappeared in just 20 minutes when an 180ft mill chimney was brought crashing to the ground

The landmark at Three Brooks Mill had stood at the former weaving mill site in Roegreave Road, Oswaldtwistle, since 1868. But at 1.25pm yesterday the once-proud giant was no more.

The chimney was one of the last standing structures left on the former mill site, named after the three brooks that run underneath and around it.

Part of the site has been earmarked for housing and planning chiefs at Hyndburn Council are considering applications for the remainder.

For the mill's former nightwatchman Ron Cunliffe, it was a sad day.

"Ron, 67, of Trinity Street, had worked at the mill for 14 years, but he remembers the mill before then.

He said: "My mother and sister used to work there. I remember going in there during the war at 6am and waiting until school started.

"We used to have sit between the looms while our mothers worked."

Another resident Ken Wilson, 69, of Trinity Street, was pleased to see it go. It's an end of an era with it going, but I am glad to see the back of it.

"When it was on full belt it used to fill the area with black smoke.

"It has not been used for ages and children used to play in the site, so it is good to see it go."