WORK to complete a £150,000 new forest has now been completed after two years work.

And the latest addition means visitors will be able to take a trip back in time as they stroll through the woodlands, too.

Local historian Mike Booth, who is chairman of Oswaldtwistle Civic Society, has carried out research on the land adjacent to Clariant (UK) Ltd in Oswaldtwistle and discovered it was once home to the first printworks outside of London dating back to 1760.

The foundations remain and an open space has been left around them to preserve them and highlight their importance as a local heritage site.

Mr Booth said: "This shows that Hyndburn was at the forefront of industrial technology as early as the 18th century."

The printworks were founded in 1760 by Robert Peel and many important technological developments were invented there. The most famous of these was James Hargreaves' spinning jenny.

More details on the famous works, printing methods and mining in the area have now been detailed on a specially designed interpretation panel within the mature sycamore plantation at the site.

Other interpretation boards -- costing a total of £2,500 -- have been added around the woodland highlighting the site's flora and fauna. Together they provide an insight into the past present and future of the site.

The area now forms a 90 acre forest of more than 60,000 saplings of oak, ash, willow, alder, hawthorn and blackthorn alongside the M65 featuring a 2,200-metre hard surfaced all weather path with picnic tables and benches,

Rebecca Smith of Groundwork said: "We are very happy with the end result as this is the biggest project we have done. Everyone involved has put in a lot of time and effort and it has now come to fruition."

When the forest has become more established it is expected to host a series of woodland activities and workshops for local community groups and schools and it is predicted that thousands will visit the new woodland during the coming years.