LET'S light up Darwen Tower, says Coun Paul Browne.

But despite formally recognising Darwen's heritage and character by having put its name alongside Blackburn's in the council's title, the town hall is cool on the £40,000 idea.

So, it's up to Coun Browne to find helpers and backers in the community.

And the initiative is off to a flying start with a pledge of support from ICI, one of Darwen's biggest employers.

And though the 100th anniversary next year of the famous tower's completion offers an ideal occasion for it being lit by floodlights, so does something else.

For if anything symbolises and promotes not just Darwen, but also the community embraced by the new local independent local authority, it is this prominent landmark.

Why not make the most of it, by night as well as by day - when it speaks the community's identity, its pride in itself and advertises it to others.

And it can be done. Don't we see that with the illumination of the Peel Monument high up on the moors at Holcombe?

Plenty, we are sure, would like to see the same done for Darwen Tower.

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