ATHERTON's controversial Victoria Mill has been given a clean bill of health.

The Bolton Old Road building was condemned by Cllr Robert Bleakley as a "rat infested monstrosity" in response to news that £120,000 was being spent on reglazing missing windows and upgrading the 19th century giant.

But fellow Hindsford councillor Mark Aldred refuted suggestions there was a vermin problem at the mill.

Cllr Aldred said: "I have taken the time and the trouble to investigate the allegations about rats. There have been no recent problems. I spoke to residents 12 months ago and reported my findings to the Council. Environmental Health have had no reports of rats, on this site, in over six months."

Members of Atherton Building Communities plan to improve and upgrade Atherton's old mill buildings in line with Government policy of bringing old, redundant buildings back into productive use.

At Victoria Mill the owners have funded two-thirds of upgrading work with ABC providing the difference. Last year ABC welcomed the restoration work on grade two listed Ena Mill.

Local councillors were invited to view the building beforer work began and Cllr Mark Aldred was impressed with what he saw. The ABC Board viewed the interior, and concerned to ensure a worthwhile investment, asked for a structural engineer's report on the building which was done and confirmed the building is safe.

Atherton Building Communities Chair, Susan Loudon said "People in our area would benefit from additional access to employment. Many of our residents, who are unemployed, do not have access to a car therefore need to be near where they work and these multi-storey buildings are ideal for creating separate units for businesses of differing sizes.

"ABC is proud to be involved with the upgrading of these buildings that are part of Atherton's heritage."