PEREGRINE falcons will not be returning to the landmark India Mill chimney in Darwen -- because they have never gone away.

Avid peregrine watcher June Slater has warned that if contractors try to scale the chimney to carry out repairs, they could be attacked by the ferocious predators.

"I believe the female is already sitting on eggs and if that is the case, she and her mate will attack anyone who threatens them," said June.

She has been watching peregrines on the chimney for 15 years and kestrels before that.

"It is a myth that the birds go away in the winter and then come back to nest. They are there, on the chimney, 365 days a year and there has been a pair in residence for at least the last 15 years."

Extensive repairs will be carried out on the chimney, including demolishing the top 10ft of the 303ft grade II listed building. Steeplejacks have put up special nets around the upper ledges to keep the birds away and allow work to start.

But June, who has a clear view of the chimney from the kitchen window of her home in Redearth Road, believes the female has got behind the netting and nested.

"The netting is damaged and I am convinced the female is sitting on eggs," she said. "I see the male standing guard or returning from hunting. He would not be hanging around if she had nested elsewhere."

John Fryer, properties manager for Brookhouse Holdings plc, which owns the chimney, last week said the nets would be removed after the remedial work was completed and trays filled with grit placed to encourage the birds to return. Today he added: "There have been occasions when the peregrine falcons have been seen around the chimney. But they have been using ledges as roosting perches, not nesting.

"The steeplejacks removed ladders about six weeks ago. We insisted on a thorough inspection. They found no evidence of eggs, young birds or damage to the netting.

"Peregrine falcons nest at the end of March, beginning of April. I can assure you that if they were there, the steeplejacks would have been bombarded by screeching birds, trying to attack."

Margaret Overend, regional press officer for the RSPB, said: "We are working closely with the company and are satisfied that there haven't been any peregrine falcons nesting at India Mill Chimney.

"The company is doing everything it can. The netting was put up on our advice and special areas to encourage future nesting will be put in place when work is finished."