A YEAR-long series of national events to celebrate the life of Blackburn singing star Kathleen Ferrier is set to take place.

2012 is the centenary of the birth of the Blackburn girl who became one of the world’s greatest ever singers.

Organised by the Kathleen Ferrier Society, concerts will be held at top venues including London’s Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall, Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, and the Bath International Music Festival.

So far 24 events have been confirmed.

There are also many local events including an exhibition at Blackburn Museum and a concert at King George’s Hall.

Remembered fondly by many as ‘Our Kath’, the singer was brought up in Blackburn and worked in the town’s telephone exchange before a musical career that was cut short when she died aged 41.

Vinae Solanki, the curator of history at Blackburn Museum, said: “Kathleen Ferrier was a major star of her day.

"She toured extensively in Europe and also in the USA and Canada, which was unheard of at the time.

“Next year’s events will be a wonderful celebration. It will be fantastic for those who love her work and also to introduce her to so many new people.”

An exhibition will be launched at the museum in April.

The centre has an extensive archive of Kathleen Ferrier items, including her diaries, music she wrote, letters, personal belongings and her dresses and fur coats.

Many items from the collection are also to be loaned out to be displayed in other exhibitions across the country.

A spokesman for the Kathleen Ferrier Society said: “She was, and still is, one of the world’s great singers.

“Her appeal transcends all ages and generations, more so perhaps than any other singer.

“She died more than 50 years ago, yet she is still remembered and her voice is still heard and loved by millions around the world.

“Kathleen’s life was not a tragic one, even despite its brevity.

"She was 41 years old when she died. In the ten years or so of fame which were granted her she achieved more than most singers achieve in a lifetime.

“In tribute Bruno Walter, the famous conductor, said that the greatest privileges in his life were to have known and worked with Kathleen Ferrier and Gustav Mahler – in that order.”

Events in Blackburn in 2012

April - Kathleen Ferrier Exhibition, Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery.

October - Kathleen Ferrier Exhibition, Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery.

October 26 - Halle Orchestra Conductor: Markus Stenz. Soloists TBC, Blackburn, King George’s Hall, 7.30pm.

October 27 Kathleen Ferrier Society Weekend Various venues within Blackburn. Talks, Recitals Film shows.

October - Art/Music Exhibition, Blackburn venue TBC. By well-known artist Ronald William Webb.

October 28 - Kathleen Ferrier Society, 17th Bursary for Young Singers Competition, King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

December 8 - Messiah - Handel Blackburn Music Society, Blackburn Cathedral.