DARWEN Tower is expected to be open again by April after dates were finally announced for repair work.

The town's landmark was sealed off in October 2000 when it was found to be unsafe and the resulting building project has been blighted by problems ever since.

But after 16 months in 'limbo', the work will start in the middle of February - engineers promise the tower will be structurally secure for another 100 years by the end of March.

The £26,000 repairs were expected to be done by spring 2001, but the outbreak of foot and mouth closed the surrounding moors and prevented the work starting.

Then, once the area was given the all clear from the disease, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council officers said the weather was too bad to start the project. All this was too much for many Darweners who complained two weeks ago in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that their beloved 104 year-old tower had become an eyesore instead of focal point. Some even feared it would be demolished after youths began using it as a haunt. But Councillor Dave Smith, of the Sunnyhurst ward which houses the tower on the moors, said there had been no negligence from the council, and that there was a process they had to go through.

In early 2001, a condition survey identified several structural defects - the most severe being the worn stone decking which was crumbling away.

Then engineers had to carry out another survey and produce a set of plans before the work was commissioned.

Once this was done the builders - whose identity has not yet been revealed - had to be selected carefully because the tower is a listed structure.

But now that frustrating process is complete, and the first task for the builders is to take out the stone floor slabs, which is scheduled for the mid-February.

Then the internal wall will be strengthened, the lantern on the top glazed and some benches put around the bottom.

Coun Dave Smith said the work meant the tower would become the focal point once again.

He added that the delays were frustrating but that foot and mouth disease meant engineers were unable to get near the tower to carry out a survey.

He said: "It would have been irresponsible of us to go up and inspect the tower then.

"As soon as the restrictions were lifted the work went out to tender - there has been no negligence.

"It will be a superb structure once completed that will be secure for 100 years, so it's good news all round."