Workmen have meticulously removed priceless crystal chandeliers from the ceiling of the Blackpool Tower ballroom for their annual spring clean.

Staff at the iconic venue delicately lowered the lights, which each weigh over half a tonne, onto specially built scaffold towers to ensure the thousands of individual hand-cut crystals are protected.

The two chandeliers are in the ballroom, which features on Strictly Come Dancing every year, and are then hand polished.

But for the first time in over 50 years the bespoke rope mechanism, which is used to hoist the chandeliers up into the roof space, is also being replaced.

Steve Hughes, who is leading the work, said they are doing it to preserve the chandeliers for "many generations to come."

He said: "What we have here in Blackpool is unique. "

"We are proud of our history and heritage and our aim is to ensure we preserve this for not just current visitors – but also for many generations to come."

"This will be the only moment in my lifetime work of this scale will take place."

Alongside the two large chandeliers, the 12 smaller ones are also being lowered for a deep clean.

Aaron Edgar, operations manager at Blackpool Tower, said: "We are extremely proud of the ballroom at The Blackpool Tower – and ensuring we always offer an incredible experience for all of our visitors – both regulars and new visitors too."

"The chandeliers are lowered every year for their annual clean but this year as part of our maintenance programme we are also replacing the rope mechanism."

"This is a carefully planned operation and we look forward to the day when we can rise the chandeliers once again to shine down on all of our visitors."