IT was all happening in Haslingden as 1,000 visitors packed the town's public hall to see what it was all about.

This year's Haslingden's Happening, the fourth annual event, concentrated on youth, giving youngsters the chance to get on stage to act, dance, sing and perform.

The youngest was aged just five - Rebecca Jackson from Chris Marlow's The Dance Studio in Rawtenstall, who performed a ballet routine.

Other performers were from St Veronica's RC School, Helmshore, Haslingden High School, the bell-ringers from St James C of E School, Haslingden, and Haslingden and Helmshore Junior Band.

Haslingden Community Forum was delighted with the number of people who came to support the artists and take part in activities such as face painting, mask making and kite making. Stalls also raised money for local causes by selling goods and organising games, raffles, tombolas.

The 20 organisations taking part included Haslingden Environment Trust, St James Church, Haslingden Community Link and Haslingden and Helmshore Credit Union.

Forum chairman Andrew Bridge said: "We threw the stage open and asked people to come forward and then we booked them a slot so they could perform and show what Haslingden has to offer.

"This year we decided to go for youth because people are always complaining about young people and saying children don't do anything.

"We wanted to give them a platform so they could show the adults just what they can do and we had a lot of support from schools and other groups."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.