Workmen drop chandelier in Del Boy moment

In an accidental recreation of an Only Fools and Horses sketch, council workmen sent an antique chandelier crashing to the floor of a Lancashire stately home this week.

The museum piece worth thousands of pounds was dropped whilst bulbs were being replaced at the 16^th century Towneley Hall in Burnley.

The scene reminded onlookers of the comic BBC series when Del and Rodney were cleaning a priceless chandelier in the 1982 episode 'Touch of Glass'.

Back in Burnley and the sound of breaking glass at Towneley Hall, the good news is that the historic chandelier which usually takes pride of place in the main hall can be fixed.

According to sources at the local council, the antique piece has been sent away for cleaning and repair.

A Burnley council spokesman was keen to reject any comparisons with Only Fools and Horses and confirmed the cost of repairs to the chandelier are £2,690 which will be covered by insurance.  He went on to say "caring for all items in the museum, whether in the collections or on loan, is fundamental".

"This was an unfortunate accident that happened as the chandelier was being lowered to be cleaned".

As onlookers may have struggled to stifle a chuckle as the incident mirrored the 80's hit comedy which attracted 10million viewers others were saddened by the damage.

Councillor Roger Frost, a member of Burnley Civic Society reportedly said "It's a great pity that this has happened.  People recognise it as an integral part of the entrance hall to Towneley.  It's a really impressive piece".

Bequeathed to the local council in Burnley over a century ago, the building is now run as a museum and art gallery. Owned by the Towneley family for more than 500 years, the property together with 62 acres of land was sold to Burnley Corporation in 1901.

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