A STUDY investigating the future of the Horwich Loco Works buildings is being undertaken.

Bolton Council and English Heritage are looking at what the buildings could be used for and what funding options are available.

Stuart Whittle, of Horwich Heritage, is campaigning to save the buildings and is pleased the survey is being done.

He said: “The future of the buildings is not guaranteed and very much depends on the findings of the study.

“This is why maximum publicity is required to see what organisations are out there who might wish to take them on.

“There was a move to dedesignate the conservation area, leaving the way for complete demolition.

“It is a two-fold case. If someone is found who can occupy it, it will need substantial assistance to get them into a fit condition.”

He is appealing to anyone who may want to occupy the buildings to come forward.

He has also been contacting celebrities interested in railway heritage to try to get them to back the campaign.

Mr Whittle added: “I have trying to raise the profile and have contacted Pete Waterman and Sir William McAlpine.”

Last year Horwich Heritage started a petition, signed by more than 100 people, against plans to remove the conservation area from the site.

The cancellation was part of the Core Strategy plans to build 1,600 homes and create 4,000 job opportunities on the site.

A council spokesman said: “Bolton Council and English Heritage are working together to come to a view on which buildings could be retained and potential viable future uses.”