EAST Lancashire's architecture, history and culture will be celebrated in a weekend of free events from Thursday to Sunday.

Heritage Open Days focus on architectural and cultural gems and offer access to some properties usually closed to the public or which charge for admission.

Among the historic buildings being opened up are the Thwaites Theatre in Blackburn, Waddow Hall, near Clitheroe, Ramsbottom's Peel Tower, Todmorden's Town Hall, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chorley and a terraced eco-home in Nelson.

Other events are happening nationally.

Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive, English Heritage, said: “Heritage Open Days this year is set to be even bigger than last year, so even if you are a regular Heritage Open Days-goer there will be something new for you to see and do.

"It is organised by local people who dedicate their spare time to opening properties and staging activities, and it is their knowledge and enthusiasm that makes Heritage Open Days happen.”

What's on

BARDEN: Marina and canal guided walk, Sat 11
BARLEY: Witches walk, Sat 10 & 4
BARNOLDSWICK: Bancroft Mill Engine Trust, Sun 1-4.30
BLACKBURN: Thwaites Empire Theatre tours, Sat 11-12.30
BURNLEY: Oak Mount Hill Engine House, Sat & Sun 2-4
BURNLEY: Parish Church Of St John The Divine, Sat 11-4 (guided tour 11.15)
BURNLEY: Queen St Textile Museum, Sun 12-5
BURNLEY: St Peter's Church, Sat 1.30-4.15
BURNLEY: Towneley Hall contemporary heritage launch event, 1-4
BURNLEY: Weavers' Triangle visitors' centre, Fri to Sun 2-5 (guided tour Sun 2.15)
CHORLEY: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sat 10-6
CHORLEY: Little Theatre, Sat & Sun 10-5
CHORLEY: St George's Church, Fri 10-4, Sat 10-2
CLITHEROE: Waddow Hall, Sat & Sun 10-4.30 (last entry 4)
COLNE: Town centre heritage trail, Fri 1
COLNE: Heroes and villains guided walk, Sat 10
CRAWSHAWBOOTH: Quaker Meeting House, Sat 11-5, Sun 12.30-4
EARBY: Lead Mining Museum, Thu to Sun 11-5 (tours 11 and 2)
FOULRIDGE: Beating the bounds guided walk, Sun 11
NELSON: Every Street eco-home exemplar, Thu to Sun 11-4
NELSON: Higherford Mill, Thu to Sun 11-4
NELSON: Town Hall tour, Sat 10
NELSON: St Mary's Church, Thu to Sun 11-4
PADIHAM: Gawthorpe Hall, Sun 1-4.30
PADIHAM: Nazareth Unitarian Chapel, Sat 10-4
RAMSBOTTOM: Peel Tower, Sun 10-4
SAMLESBURY: Samlesbury Hall, Thu to Sun 11-4.30
TODMORDEN: Town Hall, Sun 12-4
TODMORDEN: Unitarian Church, Sat & Sun 10-4.

Some events need to be pre-booked. See www.heritageopendays.org.uk for more information.