BUSINESS leaders in Darwen are hoping to raise enough cash for a shining tribute to Darwen Tower.

Darwen Shop and Business Association is hoping to create a scale model of the landmark structure, made from lights.

The group estimates such a scheme would cost about £10,000.

Funding is not available at present, so the association aims to approach local businesses in a bid to raise the cash.

The idea comes after the success of the Darwen Tower flower sculpture, entered by the council in the RHS Flower Show, Tatton Park, Cheshire, this year.

The tower was a talking point at the prestigious show and is now fetching admiring glances from townsfolk after being relocated to Darwen, in the shadow of the real monument.

Andrew McAllister, chairman of the Darwen Shop and Business Association, said the scheme was proving to be very expensive, but confirmed: "We are looking into it."

It is not yet known how tall the structure would be and how it would compare to its stone cousin.

However, local firms including Akzo Nobel would be approached for help with funding for the project, business bosses said.

The tower is set to become the second model celebrating the area's most famous landmark. The Darwen Tower flower sculpture now takes pride of place in the atrium outside the town's market.

In the minutes from a recent shop and business association meeting, it says: "This can be done, however we have no funding for this as yet. We would be looking at a cost of £10,000.

"Can we approach places such as Akzo Nobel, ICI, and India Mill to see about being sponsors and them putting in some money?"

Blackburn with Darwen Council has said it has no funds available for the scheme.