THE FINAL preparations are being made for a birthday party to mark the centenary of Darwen Tower.

Festivities begin on June 21 - the day before work started on the landmark 100 years ago - with the second Darwen Tower Walk which starts at 2pm in Sunnyhurst Woods car park. Hundreds of guests and visitors are expected to attend the main event the following day which has been organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Among them will be William Whalley from South Carolina, whose grandfather ran the company which built the tower in 1897.

Mr Whalley will also be mentioned in a new poem called Darren Teawr which has been specially composed for the occasion by Darwen dialect poet Jim Atherton, 71, who will recite his verses during celebrations on June 22.

Party-goers will meet outside Darwen Town Hall at 10am ready to set off for the tower, via Bold Venture Park, at 10.15am.

A brass band will greet the walkers. Other attractions include a fancy dress competition, kite flying display and the presentation of commemorative scrolls to all adult walkers.

Children will be given pieces of special Darwen rock.

The event concludes with the unveiling a commemorative plaque by Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson and Blackburn with Darwen mayor, Coun Peter Greenwood.

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