PLANS to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, in which the Accrington Pals suffered devastating losses, have been revealed.

Hyndburn Council leader Councillor Peter Britcliffe and local historian and author Bill Turner today announced an open air service and civic parade on Saturday, July 1, including a two minute silence.

The Baxenden Bash fair will also form part of the commemorations. And there will be an exhibition "Our Dear Pals, the Somme and the Great War" at Haworth Art Gallery, featuring pictures by First World War artists. Work on the Pals by local schools will also be on display.

Films of the Pals and the First World War will be screened at Accrington town hall and the Oswaldtwistle Players will perform The Accrington Pals play on BBC Radio Lancashire.

Full details can be found in a leaflet at public buildings including Accrington information centre and local libraries .

The 11th (Service) Battalion (Accrington) East Lancashire Regiment, better known as the Accrington Pals, is probably the best remembered of the battalions raised in the early months of the First World War in response to Kitchener's call for a volunteer army.

Groups of friends from Accrington and its neighbouring towns enlisted to form a battalion with a distinctively local identity.

It suffered devastating losses in the attack on Serre, on July 1, 1916 the opening day of the Battle of Somme.

Coun Britcliffe said: "The losses shattered a community where nearly everyone had a friend or relative killed or wounded.

"We have a whole range of events planned to commemorate the sacrifice they made."

Mr Turner added: "Pulling together these events has been a real team effort and it's an occasion for all local people to come along. I've had people ringing me from all over the world about it."