AN ICONIC figure which was once part of the town centre scenery has been shortlisted for a heritage project.

The jolly little figure of Paddy stood on the frontage of Peter Dewar’s tobacconists on Church Street for 88 years from 1895 to 1983.

He was a recognisable feature of the town centre from an era when the numbering of houses was often absent and distinctive shop signs were a common way of locating places.

Paddy was donated to the World of Glass in 2009, and is on permanent display at the museum after a fundraising mission was launched to cover conservation costs after he was featured in a nostalgia exhibition last year.

And visitors have chosen him as the object to be pit forward by the World of Glass to be considered for inclusion in the A History of Lancashire in 70 Objects project.

Museums around the traditional county have been invited to put forward objects of importance to illustrate the history of Lancashire.

The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and will see Lancashire Life show 70 objects from heritage venues across the county between September and November during its 70th anniversary.

"Paddy was the selected object by our visitors and we put it to the 70 Objects project and they will go through a selection process so it's fingers crossed," said World of Glass curator Hannah Longworth.

The selections are expected be known at the end of March.