A HUGE project to renovate Darwen's landmark India Mill chimney drew to a close with a special ceremony -- conducted at the top of the 300-foot high building.

The 20-week project, costing £170,000, has restored the crumbling tower, off Bolton Road, back to its former glory as the highest brick-built chimney in the country.

The dizzying heights of the Grade Two listed chimney is the centrepiece of the India Mill office complex, and rests on a huge foundation stone, rumoured to be the largest block quarried since Cleopatra's Needle.

Forty per cent of the cost was paid for with a £70,000 grant from the English Heritage organisation.

The building is owned by property company Brookhouse Holdings plc, which put its headquarters in the complex and rented the rest out.

Peter de Figueiredo, English Heritage historic buildings inspector for the North West, said: "The chimney is important as an industrial artefact. It is the most important mill chimney in the North West, and possibly the finest in the country.

"It's a real work of architecture, and was inspired by the churches in the north of Italy, although it's built on a much bigger scale. It was intended as a landmark for Darwen.

"English Heritage try to help buildings at risk, and this was one of them. It might ultimately be the last of its kind."

Work on the landmark chimney, built between 1880 and 1890, was complicated by a family of rare peregrine falcons who had moved in on the upper levels. A net had to be set up, 300ft high, to keep the bird away while the job was finished. Speaking from the top of the chimney Brian Barnes, chairman of Barnes group, which helped with the renovation work, said: "It's a very good view, but very cold. I wish it was summer!"

Thanks to the project, India Mill's place in local history is assured.

During the finishing ceremony, John Friar, India Mill centre manager, presented Steve Whitely, contracts supervisor for Cameron, the restoration company involved in the project, with a commemorative whisky tumbler. He said: "We knew it was going to be a difficult job. But I think we can now see that it is a really good result of the team work."