CHILDREN from Burnley who helped open the town's Peace Garden 15 years ago have been invited to commemorate its anniversary during a ceremony of songs and poems.

Representatives of the children of the town were chosen to launch the garden on December 21, 1985 by the Burnley Peace Committee.

But the original peace garden was removed last year, along with St Peter's spire, to make way for the new Curzon Square development.

A replacement garden was built at the Place de Vitry outside Burnley Central Library and now features a memorial plaque to Princess Diana.

Peace committee chairman Pete Smith said he would like anyone who was involved in the opening of the garden or any other interested people or groups to gather at the new peace garden at noon on December 21 to celebrate the anniversary.

He said: "As far as I am aware it is the first anniversary at the new peace garden by the library - which was a site originally rejected for the garden.

"When we were looking for someone to open the original garden, we decided it was for the future so that's why we chose children.

"Of course the children that were children then will not be now.

"People can turn up on the day with a banner or song or poem providing it is the spirit of things. If anyone has any other ideas they can contact me."

Pete can be contacted on 01282 433632.