COUNTY chiefs are remaining tight lipped about who the possible new owners of Darwen Technical College could be after the Citizen revealed that two mystery bidders viewed the site in recent weeks. Lancashire County Council officials refused to reveal who the bidders were - despite the fact that one is believed to be a long established firm in the town.

A spokesman said: "At this stage we cannot say who viewed the building but there has not been an offer made and Darwen Technical College is still on the market. We are still interested in talking to any parties who are keen to purchase the building."

However, Councillor Derek Brindle - who has spearheaded the Darwen Against Demolition campaign for the past four years - said he does know the identity of the Darwen bidder.

Coun Brindle has admitted he is sworn to secrecy as he does not want to jeopardise any bid made by the firm.

He said: "I would love to see the college bought by a local business and I have been in constant contact with them. But at this stage they do not want to identify themselves and I have to obey their wishes."

The listed building was put on the market again in April after the owners of Healthland College in Accrington and Clitheroe's Moorland School pulled out at the eleventh hour.

It was the second time the future of the former Technical College had been in doubt in the past three years after developers Crowther Homes pulled out of a £100,000 deal.

Coun Brindle has vowed to keep up his fight to see his beloved buildings secured. In the past he has collected 6,000 signatures to save the old tech from demolition.

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