BUILDING work at Pendle's new water treatment plant will move up a gear next week when a giant crane is rolled on to the site.

United Utilities' new £19million facility at Ridgaling will replace Barley waterworks and the firm claims it will give 40,000 people in Nelson, Colne and Barrowford "some the best water in Europe".

Developers will bring the 34-metre tower crane on site to help with the next stage of the project, which has been designed to resemble a cluster of farm buildings.

It will remain until next spring as thousands of tons of concrete are used to lay the foundation.

Project manager Paul Brabazon said: "This project is gret news for local families as it means they will be able to enjoy some of the best quality drinking water in Europe.

"To help ensure the new treatment works complement the landscape, we will be using local stone and slate to camouflage the buildings."

The Ridgaling treatment works are expected to be fully up and running by early 2007.