THE RECORD books will be thrown open at an East Lancashire library so people can discover more about their family history.

The Blackburn branch of the Lancashire Family History and Heraldry Society is holding its annual open day at Blackburn Central Library.

Visitors are invited to come along to the exhibition to use the 1881 census of Lancashire and find out about their ancestors.

The society is urging people to bring as much information as possible about relatives who would have been alive in 1881 and lived in Lancashire at the time.

Last year's event at Nelson Library proved popular, with a steady stream of amateur detectives delving into their backgrounds using the library's archives and the society's own records.

Exhibition co-ordinator Mary Mingay (pictured) said: "We would advise people to come early because there will be a queue. We will not be running another event like this for another two years."

The exhibition is on until March 30 during normal library opening hours, but people can get help from exhibitors on Sunday February 11 and 25 and Sunday March 11 and 25 from 12.30-2.30pm. The society meets on the first Thursday of every month at Ewood Working Men's Club, Bolton Road, Blackburn, and new members are welcome.