ACCRINGTON library will launch the first installment of a new online catalogue charting local history at a special internet event tomorrow.

It is part of the national Access to Archives online catalogue project which aims to create a virtual national archival catalogue that is accessible through one internet address.

The whole database now contains more than 3.7million records from 184 archive offices.

Materials in the collection capture the cultural and social richness and diversity of each region.

It includes friendly societies, co-operative societies, trade unions, political parties, philanthropic institutions, cultural and leisure interest societies, and non-conformist churches and chapels including Baptist, Congregational Methodist and Quaker from the 17th century onwards.

The data for the North West will collectively be called Our Mutual Friends in the North and will involve Lancashire Record Office and three other libraries around the county which are set to take part in the local launch in the coming weeks.

The local project gathers together almost 300 catalogues of information including collections of material that reflect the unique history of the people of the North West.

Sessions exploring the information are aimed at local and family historians and members of staff from Lancashire Record Office will be on hand to explain how to navigate the site and what to do with the information found.

The Accrington session will be held between 2.30pm and 3.30pm tomorrow.

Anyone who wishes to attend this launch should call 01254 306905 or call in to the St James Street venue and pick up a ticket.

Future sessions will be held at Chorley Library, Morecambe Library and at Skelmersdale Library.