FOR most of the last century it formed part of the town centre skyline.

The golden globe on the tower of Prestons of Bolton glistened on top of the Deansgate building.

But shoppers and workers in the town have noticed that in the past few weeks the famous sphere missing.

One worried local man telephoned the BEN offices to say he had heard thieves had stolen the object and melted it down.

But the jewellers told the BEN workmen removed the large ornament at the start of its recent refurbishment.

It appears the sphere had to be taken down because it had become structurally unsafe.

Managing director Andrew Duckworth said: "Unfortunately, the globe became a danger to the public because the steel rods holding it in place were rotten.

"It has now been removed and we are not sure at the moment whether it will be put back."

Mr Duckworth revealed that the globe was supposed to slowly rise during the day and reach the top at 12 noon, but it had not worked for the past 60-70 years.

He also laughed at rumours it had been stolen by thieves and melted down.

He added: "I went up there the last time we had a refurbishment of the building in 1980 and I couldn't get my arms around it, it was so large.

"In any case, it isn't gold so it would be pointless to steal it and melt it down."