A DEMOLITION crew is set to bring an end of an era as they prepare to bring down a landmark which has stood over Rossendale for almost 200 years.

Sykeside Mill at Road End, Haslingden, is an 1830s Grade II listed building with a chimney easily recognised by motorists using the nearby by-pass.

But the area including the historic chimney is to be demolished to make way for a £2.5 million scheme, which will transform the derelict eyesore into a garden centre by Easter 2003.

The project began after council planning bosses gave permission for the mill in Syke Road to be demolished after a blaze gutted the building, making it a potential danger for children playing in the derelict building.

Architects Ivan Wilson of Clitheroe have designed a scheme to transform the former Wills Fabrics base after receivers were called into the textile firm in 1998.

Development company Clarke Foy Partnership is behind the scheme.

Director Mike Foy said they were just waiting for the building to be made safe and then they would be able to go ahead with the demolition.

"It could be a matter of weeks before the building is made safe enough for us to go in and demolish it but the sooner it is done the better."

A condition attached to planning consent means the Rochdale-based developer will have to build a roundabout at the junction at Road End, costing about £200,000, which has been built into scheme.

He also confirmed that the site is still set to be complete and open by Easter 2003.

Leading Fire fighter George Coffey of Haslingden Fire Brigade said that it was a relief to hear that the building was ready to come down.

He said: "We have been called out on a number of occasions to fires at the derelict building. It was very difficult for us to make it safe because it is such a huge building, so we will all be glad when it comes down. It was a great concern of ours because youngsters kept going into the building when it was clearly not safe."