EAST Lancashire has become home to several reservoirs throughout the years.

They’ve played their part with several uses, not just as a lifeline for water supplies, but as a place to fish, a fantastic view to admire and a place to socialise.

Sunnyhurst reservoir was constructed in 1875, near to Earnsdale reservoir, which was built 12 years earlier.

In 1847 the Darwen Waterworks and Reservoirs Company was given priority to construct the reservoir at Earnsdale.

This transformed the upper stretch of the valley.

The reservoir, which holds 97 million gallons, stands 705ft above sea level and is contained by a dam just over 70ft high stretching across the valley of Earnsdale.

Sunnyhurst reservoir held 95 million gallons, and was built as a ‘perched’ reservoir, which sat in the hillside and not in a valley.

The building of the first reservoir had the effect of cutting off the Sunnyhurst valley to some extent, although the public rights of way remained.

It was at this stage that Darwen was beginning to grow as an industrial town, and as the population increased pressure for recreational amenities began to emerge.

Barrowford, Walverden in Nelson, Rawtenstall and Haslingden reservoirs have also become popular places to walk, bird watch and paint.