Del Boy slip with chandelier
makes workers look plonkers

The hapless contractors had removed the expensive crystal antique worth thousands of pounds from a ceiling so they could change its bulbs.

But while winching it up the workmen dropped the historic chandelier which hangs as a centre piece in the main hall of the 16th Century Towneley Hall in Burnley, Lancashire.

It crashed to the floor and several of the arms are believed to have broken off – meaning the chandelier had to be taken away for repairs.

The incident echoed an Only Fools episode where Del and Rodney were hired to clean priceless chandeliers – but unscrew the wrong one which smashes to the floor.

Simon Goff, head of Green Spaces and Amenities at Burnley Council, said: “During a routine bulb change on the chandelier in the Great Hall at Towneley, slight damage occurred and the chandelier has been removed for repair and cleaning. We will also take the opportunity to re-wire the chandelier and it will be returned as soon as possible. The care and conservation policy for the museum’s collections is followed at all times whilst carrying out routine work.”

Councillor Roger Frost, who is also a member of Burnley Civic Society, said: “It is a great pity that this has happened.”