THE 100th anniversary of the visit of King George V to Blackburn is being marked with a series of celebrations.

King George V, who reigned from 1910 to 1936, visited the town in 1913, with Queen Mary, as part of a week-long tour of Lancashire.

During the visit, King George laid the foundation stone for King George’s Hall, and oversaw the gift of Roe Lee Park to the people of Blackburn.

Yesterday, members of the public were joined by 30 Year One and Two pupils from Roe Lee Park Primary School to sing songs in the park, and visit a collection of memorabilia from the visit.

Ray Smith, chairman of Blackburn Local History Society, introduced the hand loom that was shown to the royals on the day.

The Friends of Roe Lee Park marked the handing over of the park land to the people of Blackburn by unveiling a commemorative plaque, which was donated by Brent Stevenson Memorials free of charge, at the park pavilion.

The pupils from Roe Lee Primary also performed a selection of songs in Victorian costume.

On their visit there, the King and Queen were shown the latest Jaquard-type looms, and were presented with a monogrammed handkerchief and a pair of miniature clogs.

An exhibition, called ‘Roe Lee and the Royal Connection’, will be launched today at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, looking back at the visit, and featuring a collection of memorabilia from the visit, and from King George’s Hall.

Coun Damian Talbot, executive member for leisure, culture and young people, said: “The visit of King George V took place during a fascinating, and important part of Blackburn’s history, which saw the town play a role on the global stage.  And, of course, it left a legacy for today in the shape of one of our much-loved buildings and parks.”

The 1913 tour included 30 towns as well as Blackburn, which, at the time, was booming due to the cotton industry.