MORE than 20 firefighters from across East Lancashire battled a blaze which destroyed a derelict mill in Haslingden last night.

A crew from Rawtenstall was first on the scene, but soon called for back-up from Blackburn, Accrington and Haslingden.

Firefighters took three hours to bring the fire in the two-storey former mill in Bell Street under control around 11.30pm. The mill is believed to have been the former premises of Capri Shoes.

A joiner's factory next to the disused mill was also gutted by fire.

Firefighter investigation officers from Rawtenstall were due to return to the scene this morning to try to find the cause of the fire.

Nobody was hurt in the blaze.