TRADERS in Accrington town centre will step back in time as part of a Victorian themed weekend.

The town centre will become a thriving Victorian town complete with Victorian costume clad people, choir singers and much more to mark the 150th anniversary of its town hall.

The event to celebrate the period the town hall in Blackburn Road was built will see an array of entertainment, including performances by the Hyndburn Singers, Red Rose Band and the Accrington Pipe Band.

There will also be an accordian player entertaining shoppers in the market on Saturday, a Victorian Grotto created by pupils from Rhyddings School on display, and a pot pourri making workshop in the Haslingden and Helmshore museum in Market Hall on Saturday and Sunday Gail Easton, of Lilac Interiors in Warner Street, will be dressing up in a Victorian costume for the occasion.

She said: “We are really getting into the festive spirit and we will be dressing up the shop with lanterns and serving mince pies and sherry to passersby.

“Accrington really needs events like this to try and entice shoppers back into the area. We are hoping it will be as successful as Whalley’s Pickwick night and next year it will be bigger and better.”

The event will run from Friday, December 10, until Sunday, December 13.

Participating traders will also be in with a chance of winning £250 for the best Victorian themed shop.

Mayor of the town, Paul Barton, said that he hopes the event will boost trade in the current economic climate.

He added: “It will be a great event for Accrington and we hope that shoppers will also get into the festive spirit along with all the traders.

“Similar events in Whalley and Clitheroe have been a success and hopefully it will work for us too.

“It should increase trade in the town as well as bringing some festive cheer.”