A PENSIONER, who grew up in Preston, is over-the-moon that a mystery buyer has snapped up an enormous stone plaque carved in her great-grandfather's image.

The ancient work-of-art was a prominent feature at the entrance to the Bamber's Corn Mill, in St George's Road, Preston, which used to manufacture cotton.

It was owned by John Todd -- the great-grandfather of Phyllis Ollerton -- and the building's stone effigy was created to resemble the businessman.

Phyllis, 79, who was born in Hopwood Street, off Deepdale Road, said: "I was very upset when the mill was knocked down about a year ago -- my family have always gone to visit it.

"But when it was knocked down, the front of the building was given listed status and the demolishers appealed to have it taken down and won so I thought the carving was doomed."

The doorway, where the stone carving was set, was bought by John Hindle of Ribble Reclamation, Dulcie Place, Preston, nine weeks ago before being bought by a Preston artist recently.

Mr Hindle said: "There is every chance it would have gone abroad because there were some Japanese people who were very interested in it -- it's because the artist put his bid in first and now it remains in Preston.

"If we didn't rescue these things, half of them would end up on the skip."

Phyllis, who now lives in Blackpool, added: "The actual effigy was massive, it was about three times the size of an average door and replicated John Todd's image breast upwards.

"I would like to thank the artist because he must have really wanted it and also John Hindle for rescuing it because it's part of my heritage.

"I am very proud of Preston -- I was born there and my mother ran a shop called Busy Bees."

It is believed that the stone figure will form part of a new building at the artist's home.