A HISTORY society has given its backing to naming a building in honour of the Queen Mum, despite some concerns.

Hyndburn History Society says it supports a decision by councillors to rename Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod Street, Accrington, after the Queen Mother.

The former spinning mill and weaving shed has had many owners over the years and when council bosses recently launched a competition to rename the building, many residents insisted the name was kept.

But after the Queen Mother's death more than 50 people wrote to Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe and asked for the building, which will be the new council headquarters, to be named Queen Elizabeth House.

Josie Green, secretary of the Hyndburn society, said: "We wrote to Peter Britcliffe and said we considered it should remain as Scaitcliffe House because of its history but that was before the Queen Mother's death.

"The building, also known as Scaitcliffe Mill, certainly has a history and for the old folk it will always be known by those names. However, its suggested new name is also appropriate.

"It is not as if they have given it a silly or controversial name, which people may have objected to, so this is acceptable and certainly apt at this time."

The three-storey building, used as a mill until 1931, later served as the canteen for textile machinery manufacturers Howard and Bullough before it became Platt's.

The council's move to the new site, which will be carried out in June, was prompted by the sale of its existing Eagle Street premises, currently owned by Lancashire Enterprises, to a development firm.

Refurbishment of Scaitcliffe House will include an extension for new meeting rooms and a reception to make it suitable for council use.