A CATALOGUE of decay and neglect in East Lancashire's historical buildings was revealed today by heritage bosses.

English Heritage announced that buildings at risk included Shuttleworth Hall at Hapton, and the Gateway and garden at Shuttleworth Hall, Hapton; Extwistle Hall, Briercliffe; Barcroft Hall, Cliviger; the barn near to Hurstwood Hall, Worsthorne.

Other buildings at risk included Clitheroe Castle, a Grade I listed building, which is said to have cracks in its structure, the Old Bridge at Lower Hodder, which is described as "very bad" and in need of immediate repair and India Mill Chimney in Darwen, whose owners have been offered a repair grant by English Heritage.

The aim of the register is not to shame owners of the buildings, but to define the scale of the problem and promote the upkeep of historic buildings.

English Heritage says it wants to help prioritise action by local authorities, preservation trusts and other funding bodies.

A renovation package for Clitheroe Castle, which is local authority owned, has been prepared and submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

English Heritage says the castle's roof is open to the elements and despite restoration works in recent years, its condition is described only as "fair". The west range of Whalley's Cistercian abbey, built between 1330 and 1380, is currently being used as a Roman Catholic church hall. The Grade I listed building, which still has its walls and roof intact, is described as being in a poor condition.

The Old Bridge at Lower Hodder, built in 1562, is classed as needing immediate repair. Consent has been granted for the bridge to gain scheduled monument status, and the owners have applied to English Heritage for a grant.

The nineteenth century chimney at India Mill was financed by textile magnate Ellis Shorrock, who copied its design from a Venetian bell tower.

An orchestra played inside the chimney when it was opened in 1867. The register describes its present condition as "very bad."

Jack Fisher, acting secretary of Darwen Civic Society, said: "India Mill, in my view, is the finest building in the town. Although many people regard Darwen Tower as the town's most prominent building, the mill chimney pre-dates the tower by around 100 years." The future of Darwen's Belgrave Chapel, which was built in 1847, is described by English Heritage as "doubtful."

The privately-owned building in Belgrave Square has a Gothic stone screen believed to be a unique feature in a non-conformist church.

Mr Fisher said: "The chapel is presently under renovation, and the society successfully battled to save its future a few years ago at a public inquiry.

Also under threat from decay are the Boer War Memorial and a pair of former tram shelters in Belgrave Square, both of which are Grade II listed. Mr Fisher added: "The society would not like to see these buildings threatened in any way."

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