AFTER a 19-month wait and a repair bill totalling thousands of pounds, Darwen's most cherished landmark has officially re-opened.

The 104-year-old Darwen tower was welcomed back at a gathering of council chiefs and proud Darweners yesterday.

And the long-awaited work has been hailed as a huge success.

Janet Anderson, MP for Darwen and Rossendale, described the tower as "the symbol of Darwen".

She said: "It is a lovely walk to the top of the tower and popular with thousands of people. The work has been really worth while.

"I am delighted to be here to mark the reopening of one of my favourite places and it looks great."

The six-week engineering project on the listed building to remove stone slabs and strengthen the internal wall has cost £26,000.

But the transformation to a pristine focal point, complete with glazed top lantern and benches around the bottom, are welcomed improvements.

Peter Hunt, director of direct services for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: " Local people paid for the original tower by public subscription to commemorate Queen Victoria's silver jubilee so it is wonderful to have it restored to its former glory."

Georgina I'Anson, a regular walker, of Avondale Road, said: "This is a great thing for everyone in Darwen as it is such a treasured landmark. We have had to wait a long time but that is just one of those things."

Repairs to the tower were delayed by foot and mouth restrictions last spring but are said to have made the tower structurally safe for another 100 years.

Nathalie Wilson, 25, proprietor of The Lychgate guest house in Sunnyhurst Lane said: "It has been terrible having to wait so long but it is fantastic that the project is at last finished. Guests will be much happier."

The land mark has received the extensive face lift after safety inspectors branded the tower unsafe almost two years ago.