A GIANT machine is on its way to a Padiham factory today (Thursday) - but it could prove to be too big for the town's roads!

The massive press, which is used to make garage forecourt signs, is due to arrive at Hepworth Building Products after a journey which began weeks ago in the south of France.

But the 1,500-tonne contraption, which is being carried in two main five-metre-wide sections on separate lorries, could get stuck at a canal bridge in Hapton.

Experts are keeping a close eye on the lorries after officials refused permission to carry the press by road through France.

It was taken over the Pyrenees into Bilbao, Spain, and from there shipped to Portsmouth. Today police will escort it up the motorway to Lancashire, where - all being well - it will be installed at Hepworth's.

A spokesman for the firm told the Citizen: "The heaviest lorry and load weighs 65 tonnes and the most difficult part of the journey may come at the very end.

"Just before the trucks turn into Hepworth's site at Pollard Moor, the lorries will have to pass over a hump-back canal bridge in Hapton, where ground clearance will be at a premium.

"The two vehicles are expected to arrive at Padiham after being escorted by police from half a dozen different forces on the route."

The press will be used to make large panels which go to make up the forecourt signs on Shell petrol stations all over Europe. The pieces have had to be loaded at a 60-degree angle to get them under motorway bridges.

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