PART of the heritage of the former East Lancashire Paper Mill, which employed thousands of residents in the 1900s, will be retained in a Radcliffe park.

The old gates to the paper mill, formerly situated off Rectory Lane, are due to be installed at Festival Gardens.

Two of the pillars which stood at the entrance were relocated to the park last week, creating a buzz among residents.

Bury Council has confirmed that "an attractive landscape feature" will be created at Festival Gardens to mark a major part of Radcliffe’s industrial history.

It follows continued calls from the Radcliffe Heritage Society and Radcliffe Rotary Club to preserve the history of the mill, which was shut in 2001.

The 139-year-old company, which was the subject of a management buyout (MBO) in 1990, was once the largest employer in the Radcliffe area of East Lancashire.

Radcliffe librarian Julie Taylor congratulated David Kerwin, the former chairman of Radcliffe Heritage Society who used to work at the paper mill, who has fought for years to have the East Lancashire Paper Mill gates sited in Festival Gardens.

She said: "When the mill closed, the gates were left in ruin.

"Finally they were stored at Bradley Fold depot.

"David put in a lot of hard work and was successful in getting the gates cleaned up.

"He wanted to see them put somewhere prominent because of the thousands of people in Radcliffe who have history with the mill.

"If it was not for David, this would not have been done."

Mr Kerwin said: "I have asked for the entrance gates to be put on Festival Gardens.

"We want any heritage that is still in a good condition to be put on the gardens to be seen.

"We want these to sit in a prominent place."

Metal barriers currently surround the two stone pillars at the park, which have been secured into the ground.

The move is part of a major renovation of Festival Gardens being carried out by Bury Council in collaboration with Radcliffe Heritage Society and Radcliffe Rotary Club.

Funding for the improvements has come from Section 106 contributions — given by developers to improve community facilities and social infrastructure.

Residents praised the move which has saved part of the town's heritage.

Resident Gaz Hulmes said: "I have fond memories as a teenager working in the canteen after leaving school, and also the stark reminder of how quickly what was once a booming paper and textile making industrial town can go into decline.

"But I'm just glad that part of our heritage and history has been preserved and not just left to be bulldozed."

A spokesman for Bury Council said: "We are collaboratively carrying out a major renovation of Festival Gardens.

"A key part of that is cleaning up and installing the old gates of the ELPM to create an attractive landscape feature which also marks a major part of Radcliffe’s industrial history.

"Further work includes replanting all of the flower beds, with landscaping and permanent planting around the ELPM gates. Improvements will also be made to benches and bins.

"The work will take place during May and June, and the Rotary Club are providing volunteers to help the council’s grounds team to keep the garden looking its best."