BACUP Natural History Society has celebrated its 125th anniversary with a special lecture evening looking at local history.

The society, which houses a museum collection at its base in Yorkshire Street, held a joint celebration with the Rossendale Club, which also celebrates its 125th anniversary this year.

A lecture titled Owd Bacup was given by president Ben Ashworth at the Natural History Society headquarters, where guests had the chance to view some of the unusual items on display.

The collection at the former Hare and Hounds pub, used by the naturalists since 1947, includes thousands of items donated since it was first founded. Early exhibits mainly include flora, fauna and fossils, but more recent acquisitions include newspaper, maps, church artefacts and souvenirs of Royal events. One of the most unusual items is a medal produced in anticipation of the coronation of Edward VIII, which never actually took place.

General Secretary Ken Bowden said: "We still have the minutes of the group going back to 1878 so we know the society has been going strong all that time. We have 60 members so it's moderately popular. We just wish we could persuade some younger people to get involved as most of the members are the wrong side of 50."

A book has been produced to commemorate the anniversary, which also includes sections on the Bacup Camera Club and the Whitworth History Society, called Nat Snap and Whit. Anyone can visit the museum on a Thursday evening or at other times by special arrangement. Forthcoming lectures include Memories of a POW, by Sam Brearley, at 7pm on Saturday.