THE newly-formed Friends of Darwen Tower group will host its first public meeting tonight.

The meeting of the new group, chaired by local businessman Steve Hartley, owner of WEC in Junction Street, will take place from 7pm at Derwent Hall in George Street.

An agenda has been set with a number of items up for discussion, including the opening of a membership list where people can sign up and, after approval, have the right to vote on future decisions.

Three committees will also be set up to deal with the structure and wellbeing of the tower, the surrounding area and access including signs and paths, and marketing and publicity for the tower.

The importance of maintaining working relationships with other agencies, including the borough council, United Utilities and others will be discussed, as will plans to invite a borough officer, as owners of the tower, to the next meeting, and the possibility of embracing social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

A temporary committee, with Darwen town councillors Roy Davies as deputy chairman and secretary Simon Huggill, was set up at an initial meeting earlier this year. Market trader Eileen Guy was appointed treasurer.

An election to determine the long-term officers of the group will take place at a future meeting.

All funds from the initial group, which folded earlier this year, have been transferred to the new group.