THE GREAT-great grandson of a man who built Darwen Tower said the local landmark is better than the Eiffel Tower!

Wesley Lewis, of South Carolina, saw the tower for the first time when his family were invited as special guests at its official reopening ceremony in May.

In a letter, Bill Whalley, Wesley's grandad, said: "We have just returned from the Normandy D-day beaches and Paris.

"Wesley remarked that he was more impressed with Darwen Tower than the Eiffel Tower because, not only of the construction, but the impressive location of Darwen Tower overseeing the town as if it was guarding Darwen."

The Whalley family helped re-open the tower after a restoration project. Local dignitaries and residents joined them in the traditional walk up to the landmark.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council gave the Whalley family an engraved glass decanter and two tumblers to commemorate the event.

They also received life membership to the Friends of Bold Venture Park, and a special book from the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods.

Bill said: "They will be framed and mounted with all my other treasures from Darwen. It is always a pleasure to visit Darwen and see my many friends and relatives, and meet with members of the council."