THE young children enjoying themselves at a top nursery in Blackburn will have little idea about the history of the building they attend every day.

Care 4 Kids is based in Rainbow House, Agnes Street. But there are few clues in the building's name to realise the secrets of its illustrious past.

The modern, decorated nursery is based in the former popular hostelry the Galligreaves Hotel which was renowned at one time for its delicious Dutton's ales.

But the building's history far precedes its days as a public house where fine beer and spirits were served as long ago as the Victorian times.

The first clues of the building's past can be found at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery where a rich oil painting of Joseph Harrison peers down over a marble bust of his wife, Elizabeth.

Joseph Harrison came to Blackburn in 1824 and set up a smithy at the corner of Dandy Walk and Darwen Street.

His business grew and he became one of the greatest engineers of his day, manufacturing power looms that achieved a world-wide reputation.

In Agnes Street, a small street off Stansfeld Street, was the Galligreaves Hotel.

But over 110 years ago this tasteful stone building was Galligreaves Hall with grounds extending over 24 acres.

The gatekeeper's lodge stood on the site of St Luke's Church, and the carriage drive followed the line of Hancock Street.

In 1847 Joseph Harrison bought the hall where he and his wife lived until his death in 1880.

It was said that the Harrisons had a tunnel dug from the house and under the road which they used as an access to the church at the top of the street.

The last resident of Galligreaves Hall before it became a hotel was Thomas Sagar, a cotton mill manager and a member of Montague Street Baptist Church.

The Galligreaves pub closed down in 2001 before becoming the Care 4 Kids nursery last year.