A LOCAL MP has welcomed the start of work on breathing new life into Huddersfield's impressive old mills.

Kali Mountford, MP for Colne Valley, praised the scheme to turn the Titanic Mill at Linthwaite into flats, a restaurant and a fitness centre.

She described it as "potentially a huge asset to the area" and praised it as an example of the Government's successful planning policies.

She also expressed her delight at the news that another mill conversion - at Royd Mill, Thongsbridge - is due for completion in a matter of months.

"I'm very pleased with these mill conversions. The Titanic scheme is particularly gratifying. It's very good news for the valley," she said.

"In both the Colne and Holme valleys several conversion schemes have been completed and more are in the pipeline. Hundreds of homes are being created, which otherwise would have resulted in more pressure on planners to allow houses in the Green Belt," added Ms Mount- ford.

The six-storey Titanic Mill - so named because its erection coincided with the building of the famous doomed liner - was formerly a yarn spinning factory.

It had been empty for many years.