PEOPLE in Leyland can take a trip down memory lane with a visit to the town's museum and exhibition centre.

Museum curator David Hunt has put together a fascinating exhibition about Leyland in bygone times to celebrate a important period in the town's past.

The new exhibition entitled Leyland in 1951: The Festival of Britain celebrates the Golden Jubilee of the town's Worden Park as a public amenity.

Displays at the Church Road centre include old photographs of the town and its people as well as images of Leyland's thriving industries at that time namely Leyland and Birmingham Rubber Company, Leyland Paints and the internationally renowned Leyland Motors.

Mr Hunt said: "The Festival of Britain was a very important time for Leyland because of the revival of Leyland Festival, which had been stopped during the war, and the opening of the park." The town's council -- then called the Urban District Council -- bought the 200 acre Worden Park from the Farington family for around £25-30,000.

"Now it attracts visitors from all over and is a public park which is probably worth millions," said Mr Hunt.

On June 18, 1951, the park was officially opened by the chairman of the council Frank Marsden and quickly became a popular source of entertainment for many Leyland families.

In the past the park hosted the town's annual festival -- a popular gathering held on the first Saturday in June -- which attracted visitors from miles around until its demise last year.

But even today children still enjoy happy times on the play equipment on the park's King George V playing fields while older visitors can take in the picturesque surroundings that make Worden Park unique.

Mr Hunt added: "The exhibition is all about life as it was in Leyland 50 years ago, the town and its people."

The exhibition runs until Saturday, October 27. For details call Mr Hunt on 422041.