THE world-famous orchestra which played the opening night of East Lancashire's premier entertainment venue will return later this month to celebrate its centenary.

Manchester's The Hallé perform the same programme in Blackburn's King George's Hall their musical peers did a 100 years ago.

The orchestra will play a identical selection of Elgar and Wagner

A competition will be launched shortly to win free tickets to attend a special centenary party night, hosted by BBC TV North-West Tonight weatherman Owain Wyn Evans on Thursday October 21.

Other top flight performers to play King George's Hall over past 100 years include The Beatles in 1963, David Bowie in 1973, Paul Weller (with and without The Jam) several times and The Clash in 1984.

Other performers to play there include Slade, David Essex, Status Quo, Daniel O’Donnell, Boyzone, Manic Street Preachers, Robbie Williams and McFly.

Comedians to visit over the years include Jo Brand, Steve Coogan, Billy Connolly, Lee Evans, Jimmy Carr and Jason Manford.

The Foundation stone was laid by King George V in July 1913 but the hall didn’t open as an entertainment venue for another eight years as the First World War broke out and it was used as a Red Cross Hospital.

Cllr Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen Council's leisure boss, said: "King George’s Hall is such an important piece of our boroughs cultural heritage. I am so excited and honoured to be a part of celebrating 100 years of the iconic venue.

"Welcoming the Hallé Orchestra back after a century is a really rich, fitting and poetic way to mark this occasion."