IT made front page news in 1950, when scaffolding, filling almost the whole of St Gabriel's Church, Blackburn, collapsed in a heap.

Painters and scaffolders were flung 50 feet to the ground as the mass of tubular steel fell. Two were admitted to hospital and four others injured.

Among them was Mr Victor Proctor, who broke his back.Today, he's a sprightly 86-year-old, who still lives in the town.

Another man, Jack Jones grabbed a chandelier as the structure gave way and swung above the wreckage until being rescued by ladder.

The collapse happened on the day renovation work was due to finish after a year and as the last touches were being put to the ceiling. Six painters, with four scaffolders to rearrange the planks were within a few feet of completing the task, when the scaffolding began to shudder and then sway.

The roar as it fell was heard by housewives on the Brownhill estate, who ran to help and make tea, while Dr O'Driscoll who was visiting nearby tended to the injured.

The Rev D G Pratt, the then vicar, said the work would have to start all over again and services would probably be held in the school.

The parish had worked for two years raising more then £1,000 to meet the cost of renovations.