SUPERSTAR steeplejack Fred Dibnah CAN build a replica mine head in his back garden, planning councillors have finally agreed.

Earlier this month Fred was at loggerheads with council chiefs calling them a "lily livered lot" when they labelled his garden an eyesore.

But yesterday they visited his Radcliffe Road home before deciding to let him go ahead.

He was given planning permission to keep a replica pithead wheel and to increase the height of a chimney.

But he was warned that environmental health chiefs will keep an eye on him to make sure the emissions meet pollution control guidelines.

He was also told he should check his insurance policies to make sure he is covered in case any of the visitors to his garden has an accident.

Earlier in the day, Fred gave councillors a guided tour of his garden which has attracted visitors from all over the world.

Despite last month's row, it was all smiles from both sides when they greeted each other.

Fred said: "I don't want to fall out with anyone. I just want to get on with it and be left in peace."

Neighbours had called round to give their support to the television star.

More than 100 letters urging approval of his plan had been sent to the council, with one letter against. And afterwards planning control sub committee chairman Cllr Jack Foster said it was the level of support which persuaded them to allow the scheme.

"We were worried that it might be a nuisance to neighbours, but the people who were there told us that was not the case."

Fred admitted that he had been up early preparing for the visit which included an exhibition of photographs, press cuttings and letters of support.

Last night Fred was delighted when the BEN broke the news that he had been given the go ahead.

"It is excellent news and I am just glad it is all over. Most of the councillors I know are sensible people, but it was just the odd one or two who seemed to have it in for me." EVEN the most normally outspoken of councillors struggled to get a word in as he described his intentions in his own inimitable style. Here is selection of the more printable comments:

"There used to be nine pit heads in Darcy Lever, now there are none.

"I always used to say that if ever I found a pit wheel I would build one. Well I've found one and now I want to bloody well build it."

He said when showing them a boiler: "I've been told that if I was in Africa I would be hailed as some sort of modern day Isambard Kingdom Brunel for producing so much energy from so little rubbish."

When questioned about the steam emissions he said: "Even NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) couldn't build something as efficient as this."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.