SAMPLES taken from the ruins of the former Grand Cinema, Nelson, which was destroyed by a massive fire, have been sent away for police analysis.

Officers investigating the blaze on May 28, which gutted the Market Street building, have spent 10 days sifting through rubble and twisted metal in search of clues to what sparked the fire.

Detective Steve Brunskill, of Nelson CID, said: "Samples have been sent to the laboratory and we are waiting the results of those tests."

Contractors moved in yesterdayto start the long and difficult job of bringing down to a safe height the dangerous walls of the building.

The work to pull down the unsupported, four-storey high walls to ceiling level is expected to take a month.

Market Street and Cross Street market, next to the former cinema which housed the Auditorium nightclub, will remain closed until the building has been made safe. It is hoped shops and stalls affected will be able to re-open for business on July 17.

Pendle Council continues negotiations for the owner's insurance to pay for the complete demolition of the site, which is expected to take up to two months. "The process of demolition has to be carried out to strict legal procedures," said the council's principal building inspector, Jim Cooper.

"First the council has to go out to tender to ensure that the best price is achieved for the work. It also has to do this to ensure it can reclaim its costs from the owner's insurance, otherwise it could face losing thousands of pounds in tax payers' money.

"All demolition work has then to be approved in advance with the health and safety executive.

"There are strict guidelines that we, the local authority, have to comply with in order to avoid anybody being hurt or even killed.

"Unfortunately, we can't just go straight ahead and demolish the building because that would be too dangerous for the workmen, public at large and neighbouring buildings."

Heat from the blaze caused cracks in the walls and twisted the steelwork supporting the gallery inside, which is forcing the walls outwards.