UPDATES on the progress of Darwen Tower’s new dome have been posted online.

Photographs and videos are available on the Facebook page of WEC Academy showing first-year apprentices fabricating the stainless steel base and frame of the dome.

The dome, which is being produced free-of-charge by the company based in Junction Street, Darwen, is expected to be ready by the end of next month.

Gales of up to 80mph tore previous fibreglass dome off in the early hours of Novermber 12, followed by a public outcry to repair it as soon as possible. Darwen Town Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council had agreed to jointly pay for the work, before the donation by WEC Group.

Darwen Tower, otherwise known as the Jubilee Tower, opened to the public on September 22, 1898 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.