MORE than 150 jobs will be created when a Darwen landmark is transformed into a hi-tech office unit.

Building work is well under way at the former Darwen Technical College, which was bought last year by American company, Burberry, who specialise in modernising Victorian buildings.

A mahogany bookcase, dated 1893, and uncovered by workmen, will be a major feature and work is expected to be finished by summer.

Other retained features include original parquet floors, pine panelling doors and pine archways.

Darwen councillor Derek Brindle, who was a key figure in bringing back life to the building was amazed at the discovery and said: "Everything's going to plan and it's looking absolutely magnificent.

"The inside is just a shell at the moment but once planning permission is given it will be full steam ahead.

"The whole building is going to have a brilliant knock-on effect on the town centre.

"Hopefully people who start work there will shop on the markets and generate other local business which is always welcome news."

Workmen were ripping all the coat hooks off and all the plaster came off and a beautiful mahogany book case was behind it.

"I can't believe I used to go to school there and we would have walked past it everyday not knowing what was behind it."

Councillor Brindle said refurbishment works were well under way on the exterior of the property -- which he said is expected to be taken over by a mystery company in the near future -- and work on the interior would begin when planning permission has been granted by the council.