A FAMOUS Huncoat landmark has been returned to the village with its history written in stone.

The stone was originally set above the farm doorway in 1768, but when the building was knocked down more than 40 years ago it was sent to Haworth Art Gallery for safe keeping.

Now it has been returned to the village after resident Albert Blackburn brought it to the council's attention.

The monument's new position, at the corner of Burnley Lane and Lowergate Road, was chosen and supported by Hyndburn council's Facelift environmental improvement programme.

A council spokeswoman said: "The stone is very weathered and we had difficulty reading the inscription. But we had a mason chisel some more of the writing out and we have attached an information board to it.

"The stone was taken to the art gallery and forgotten but a local resident remembered about it and tracked it down. We felt it was only right it should be returned to the village."

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