PRIZED treasures of Bolton's industrial past WILL NOT be shipped out of town.

Council chiefs have decided that Crompton's Mule and other relics should stay in storage until a new home is found in Bolton.

The dramatic U-turn follows huge public outcry when the BEN revealed that there were plans to loan them out to two separate museums for five years.

Investigations are now under way to see if a display centre can be created at the new tourist attraction which is being set up at Smithills Hall. Until then, they will be packed away in storage.

Cllr Bob Howarth, Bolton Council leader, said: "I am hoping that we will have a building at Smithills, but until then, it does seem unwise to move these old machines around too much.

"They are irreplaceable and it seems a shame to risk damaging them for the sake of loaning them out for a couple of years.''

He also said that they had ruled out displaying them in Crompton Place shopping centre in Bolton town centre.

"It would be expensive, costing us many thousands of pounds. There would also need to be round-the-clock security to protect these priceless items."

Cllr Don Eastwood, chairman of the council's education and arts committee, added: "They will be safe and secure in storage." The BEN was inundated with letters when it was first revealed that the machinery was to be loaned out.

Famous steeplejack Fred Dibnah joined in the battle are urged the council to keep the machinery which also included James Hargreaves' Spinning Jenny and Richard Arkwright's Water Frame in Bolton.

A replica of Crompton's Mule will, however, be going on display at the re-furbished Hall i' th' Wood museum.

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