A PIECE of history from the last millennium has been reconstructed thanks to a local fund-raising campaign.

The 10th Century stone cross was unveiled at Colne Library in front of 60 guests.

The original arm of the cross was unearthed at an unknown site in Colne and given to the library by a local man in 1911.

It lay in storage until the local history heritage centre area at the library opened in April 1996.

Librarian Christine Bradley explained: "At that time it was thought the cross could be reconstructed and be the centrepiece for the heritage area but creating the area proved more costly than anticipated and funds ran out.

"We launched a fund-raising campaign and held various events to get the money in. We had donations from local people and people from as far away as Canada. The main contribution came from the Colne area committee of Pendle Council."

The £1,400 required to reconstruct the full cross as it would have looked, incorporating the original arm, was raised and yesterday it was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Edwina Sargeant.

Vicar of Colne, the Rev Peter Mott, dedicated the cross and Colne Orpheus choir sang during the brief ceremony.

The cross, which was dated by experts at Newcastle University, is believed to have been a religious symbol rather than a market cross.

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