BURNLEY residents will be able to visit one of the town's top attractions without having to pay a penny.

Admission charges for local people at the historic Queen Street Mill have been waived so that anyone living in Burnley or Padiham can visit for free.

The running costs of the museum, which has been open to the public under the management of the County Museum Service since 1997, are largely paid for by Lancashire County Council, with a contribution from Burnley Borough Council.

The decision to abolish the £2.50 charge has been made by the county council.

Coun Marcus Johnstone, the cabinet member for cultural services, who also represents Padiham and Burnley West, said: "Queen Street Mill is an essential part of the Burnley people's heritage and I thought it was only right that local people should be able to explore this part of their history without having to pay.

"Visitors from other areas will continue to pay but if you are from Burnley or Padiham visiting the mill will not cost you a penny."

Queen Street Mill, in Harle Syke, is Burnley's last steam-powered weaving mill and contains 300 looms.

It was extensively restored and brought back into working order thanks to a series of heritage grants worth nearly £1million.