A special concert will be held next month to mark the centenary of ‘Le Pont du Blackburn’.

Le Pont du Blackburn is a bridge going over the Somme in the French town of Peronne, the scene of some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War.

Many Blackburn men took part in the first of those battles, including the then-mayor’s son who was killed.

The people carrying out repair work in Peronne submitted a scheme for a bridge over the Somme to be named Le Pont du Blackburn, estimated to cost around £1,700.

It was opened on October 12, 1924, with the Mayor of Blackburn in attendance.

The bridge-building led to the two towns becoming twinned. The bridge remains standing, while in Blackburn a road named Peronne Crescent can be found off Accrington Road, close to junction 6 of the M65.

On Saturday, October 5, the Blackburn People’s Choir and the Blackburn Salvation Army Band will combine for a centenary concert.

They will also be joined by The Honour Choir including singers from across the North West and music will include Bridge Over Troubled Water, Deep Peace, Nimrod, and The British Legion March.

As well, there will be a special feature on Barry Gray, a composer from Blackburn who attended St Silas Junior School at the time of the First World War.

Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection for the British Legion.

The concert will be held at the Citadel on Vicar Street, starting at 7pm.