THE mystery of Mitton's disappearing millennium cross was solved today when it was revealed that the monument had not been stolen after all.

Parish councillor John Wilkinson, 90, funded the project to erect the centrepiece on the village green, which was runner-up in the 1999 Lancashire Evening Telegraph Grimewatch awards.

The Bashall Eaves and Great Mitton parish councillor, of Edisford Bridge, is receiving treatment for cancer but has been involved in a long-running campaign to improve the village.

Local people feared the cross had been stolen after it was cut down and taken away last week.

But today it was revealed that the cross was taken away by the local firm which had provided it after Mr Wilkinson had complained that it was faulty.

Inspector Stuart Caley of Lancashire Police said: "The cross was reported to us as missing but we looked into the matter and it is not now being treated as a theft."

Mr Wilkinson was taken to hospital last night after a fall at his home and was described as "stable" in Blackburn Infirmary today.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.