THE area around a monument at Sunnyhurst Woods is being accurately restored after an century-old discovery.

Helpers working on the 95-year-old drinking fountain came across the original steps and paths almost a foot down while digging.

The fountain itself was restored earlier this month after the Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods received a £3,250 Lottery grant for the work.

Now the group has decided to obtain some original kerb stones dating back to the turn of the 20th century to authentically rebuild the steps and path around the fountain.

Dennis Gillibrand, group spokesman and chair of the group, is trying to obtain some more lottery funding to commence this new work.

He said: "Everybody thinks this is the right thing to do to get the fountain as it was, judging by the photos I have of when it was built."

The fountain was given to the people of Darwen by the Lightbown family of Darwen.

It has not been used since 1980, when it had a pewter cup and chain to enable people to drink from it. Now it is just a historical monument.