RAIL bosses who sparked outrage by depriving Blackburn of its Victorian station clocks have been forced into a U-turn by the threat of legal action.

And today Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council officials said the town should never have had to go through the uncertainty over their future in the first place.

Network Rail, formerly Railtrack, provoked protests when it was revealed the clocks, taken down when £6million revamp of the station started in 1999, were being restored and fitted at Manchester Piccadilly station.

Officials said they were not in keeping with the modern style of the new station.

Now council bosses have told Network Rail they would be in breach of planning permission if they did not return at least one of the clocks to Blackburn.

And the company has agreed to hand over one of the timepieces after being told the ultimate enforcement action would be legal moves through the courts for a breach of planning conditions.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw and the town's civic society today spoke of their delight at the U-turn which maintains the town's heritage - the clock dates back to 1886.

And the council revealed a competition will be run for members of the public to decide where to keep the timepiece.

Coun Andy Kay, the council's head of regeneration, said: "When we found out that the clocks were going to Manchester, I asked our officers to re-study the planning permission to see if they were allowed to do that.

"It turns out that one of the conditions for development was that one of the clocks remained in the town.

"We could have taken action over a breach of planning condition and we pointed that out to Network Rail.

"Overall, it is good to know part of the borough's history is remaining in Blackburn, even if we should never have had to go through this in the first place.

"We have been told we will get it back in June and it will become the council's property.

"We will then look for a suitable place for it to be placed where it can benefit the town. It needs to be in an enclosed space and there isn't really anywhere suitable for it on the railway station now.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "I am very pleased about this. It is an acceptable compromise. It would have been appalling had both these clocks gone to Manchester.

"It would be appropriate for it to be in the new building, but if they find a more appropriate place, that is fine by me.

"I am pleased Network Rail have listened to the representations."

Doug Chadwick, vice chairman of the Blackburn Civic Society, said: "It is terrific news. It was a great disappointment when they said they would be at Manchester Piccadilly.

"To have one of the clocks will be welcomed by everyone. I would like to see the clock in the lobby of the refurbished station where it can have a historical significance in a modern context."

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We understand how important the clocks are to many Blackburn people and we hope the outcome will be a positive one for all parties.

"We want to do the best for everybody."