PRINCE Charles is backing a 10-year-old girl’s fight to save an historic 15th-century building from closure.

Natalie Heaney was upset when she read in The Bolton News in August that Turton Tower may have to close because of a dispute about how it was funded.

She was so angry that she wrote to Prince Charles, asking if there was anything he could do to prevent it shutting down.

Now the Prince has replied offering his support as well as advising Natalie on where she could go to for more help.

Natalie, who lives in Bromley Cross, Bolton, told the heir: “Turton Tower is 600 years old and a beautiful place. I love to go there with my mother and it would be a shame to close it down, so that is why I need your help to make sure this does not happen.

“This building means a lot to everyone in our village and to lose it does not bear thinking about.”

She was delighted when she received the reply. The letter, written on his behalf by his secretary, says: “It was so kind of you to take the trouble to write such a heartfelt and expressive letter to His Royal Highness about your family’s love for Turton Tower and your concern that it might be closed.”

It went on to say that Prince Charles takes a great interest in historic buildings and advised Natalie to contact Save Britain’s Heritage, a charity which campaigns to preserve historic buildings.

Natalie’s mum, Angela Heaney, said she was very proud of her daughter for writing to Prince Charles, and she was delighted that she had received a reply.

She said: “I think it’s brilliant. The fact that a 10-year-old has such strong feelings and wanted to do something about it is amazing.

“She was really chuffed to bits about getting a reply.”

Turton Tower is currently maintained by Lancashire County Council, but the authority wants to withdraw its support because the tower has been outside the county council’s borders since Blackburn with Darwen Council became a unitary authority in 1998.

Blackburn with Darwen Council says it cannot afford the estimated £200,000 a year needed to maintain the building, so the two authorities are locked in negotiations about who will continue to supply the cash in the long term.

Blackburn councillor Jean Rigby warned in August that the Tower may have to close to the public if no agreement can be reached.

Negotiations about the future of the Tower are still ongoing.