A Lancashire business, which has offices in Blackburn and Burnley, has been celebrating its 150th anniversary with a week-long series of events.

Althams was founded in Burnley by Abraham Altham, a tea merchant who started rewarding his customers by organising holiday trips in 1874.

Three years later, he began to sell these trips with dedicated travel desks being set up in his tea shops.

In 1969, Althams became Althams Travel Services, reflecting the fact travel had become its core business. The head office of the firm remains in Burnley.

During the past week, branches across the region have been hosting a number of giveaways and events to celebrate the milestone.

Earlier this week, Burnley staff were at Burnley bus station recreating a trip to Blackpool, a trip the founder of the company took back in 1874. 

Similar events took place in Skipton, Bolton and Bury.

Althams Travel staff in Burnley

In Blackburn, the branch is based in New Market Street opposite Marks and Spencer. Stores have been decorated throughout to celebrate the occasion.

Blackburn branch manager, Steve Logan, said: “We are all so proud to work for a company that is celebrating 150 years in business which is a rarity nowadays.
 
"We would like thank all our valued clients for there business over the years and look forward to arranging peoples holidays for many years to come."

Special brochures have been produced to mark the occasion

The company also hosted an extravagant annual summer ball and announced its workforce of more than 200 staff would all receive a bonus payment as part of the celebrations.