MEMBERS of a residents' group have vowed not to give in after a freak storm devastated the beauty spot they had spent years improving.

The flash floods left a 40ft by 12ft chasm at Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen, as well as washing away all the footpaths and damaging two bridges.

Estimates put the repair bill at as much as £500,000 and Blackburn with Darwen Council is staging emergency meetings to discuss where funding can be obtained.

The Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods' summer gala set for this weekend has been cancelled and members are heartbroken.

Dennis Gillibrand, chair of the group, said: "Some of the lady members were in tears as they looked around. No one call recall anything like it in living memory.

"We were on the march, but we will continue, no doubt about that."

In recent years, the group has obtained cash from grants and fundraising events to add or improve facilities in the woods.

Two weeks ago, several benches and a restored drinking fountain were unveiled after a Lottery-funded scheme.

Dennis said the group was to stage a special meeting to discuss a plan of action soon, but that machinery was needed to repair the damage so there may be little they can do except fundraise.

Figures suggest that 56mm of water fell in 45 minutes on Friday, causing chaos across East Lancashire.

Problems at Sunnyhurst Woods arose when the pond's overflow became blocked with silt and sent gallons of water down the valley. Around 60 tonnes of rubble were washed down onto Sunnyhurst Lane and Borough Road.

Coun Kate Hollern, executive member for leisure and culture at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: "We have attempted to cordon off some areas of Sunnyhurst Woods, but some people have simply removed the tape and walked on the damaged footpath nevertheless.

"It is pretty soul-destroying to see the damage and force that water can do but we will work with the friends groups at our parks to bring our footpaths back into full use as soon as possible."

Sunnyhurst Woods was the worst- affected park in Blackburn with Darwen, although Bold Venture Park and Corporation Park were also damaged.

Elsewhere, a massive clean-up operation is still underway at an East Lancashire factory after last week's floods.

Workers at the Sappi paper mill, in Feniscowles, Blackburn, have swapped their conventional roles to help clear the debris after more than 5ft of water gushed through the premises.

Machinery and supplies were ruined with the damage estimated at £700,000. A survey for structural damage has been carried out and could push the bill further and the company is losing money each day it is out of operation.

But bosses vowed that none of the 130 jobs would be lost.