OPPONENTS of the plan to demolish St James's Church spire, Burnley, will gather for a public protest on Monday (May 12).

Local historians and artists will join protest organiser Steven Smith to ask people to sign a petition.

The spire, the last remaining part of the old Stoneyholme parish church and centrepiece of the Peace Garden off Brown Street, stands in the way of a plan for new shops and a car-park.

Unless the protesters can persuade the council to make a last-minute U-turn, the structure will be knocked down.

But Mr Smith has not given up hope of winning a reprieve for the spire. He told the Citizen: "Noted local figures such as James Howell, David Wild, Jack Nadin, Ken Spencer will be taking part. It is something we all feel strongly about.

"Since the 1960s Burnley's heritage has been taken away, and the lessons of the past have not been learned.

"It doesn't make sense to demolish something as beautiful as this spire to make way for a car-park. People flock to other towns which have retained their heritage.

"There is a plan to relocate the Peace Garden, but without the spire the Peace Garden will not exist - it will just be a jumble of stones which can be put anywhere.

"We will welcome anyone who wants to join us on from 10am on Monday."

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