THE hidden delights of five East Lancashire museums and galleries are to be revealed through the eyes of some celebrity curators.

‘My Favourite Treasures’ booklets are to be published in time for the Easter holidays for the museums and galleries involved in the project: Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, Accrington’s Haworth Art Gallery, Clitheroe Castle Museum, Rossendale Museum and Towneley Hall, Burnley.

Six well-known figures were asked by the organisation Creativity Works to visit the various museums and to point out the items which most appeal to them.

Among those taking part were designer Wayne Hemingway who visited Towneley, children’s author Joseph Delany who toured Clitheroe Castle and museum and mountain bike champion Helen Gaskell who looked at Rossendale Museum.

The aim of the campaign is to present museum collections in a different way.

Visitors will be invited to take photographs of their own favourite exhibits and post them along with their comments on an accompanying website www.myfavouritetreasures.com.

Wayne Hemingway said: “I hope people enjoy following my treasure trail around this wonderful place but I encourage them not just to follow my choices but to be inspired to find their own and add them to the website.”

Joseph Delaney, author of the Spooks series of books added: “A good book is one that the reader can return to over and over again and so is an excellent museum.”

Wayne Hemingway, Towneley Hall, Burnley, Favourite item: Packaging Cabinet

“The Burnley Room at the museum is fantastic, to think what was made here, everything that you want in life. There’s a real history of Lancashire. The packaging for the hardware shop is amazing, and the vapour rub tins fantastic. What a great collection. Beautiful packaging, I want all this for my museum.”

Esther Hall, children’s illustrator, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, Favourite item: Icon, The Vladimir Mother Of God

“The large eyes of this image stood out to me the most, watching you as you approach the cabinet. The ‘Oklad’ frame is beautiful, it is made from embossed silver with precious stones.”

Joseph Delaney, Clitheroe Castle and Museum, Favourite item: Mephisto

“I like this because there is humour involved but it’s a horrible distorted creature, weird and very strange. It’s not a very kindly laugh. He’s got pointy ears and chin. He could possibly be one of the Fiend’s children which I call abhumans in my books, in that case he would have had a witch for a mother!”

Helen Gaskell, Rossendale Museum, Favourite item: Early 20th-century Fireman's Helmet

“This struck me because of the vast difference compared to 21st century fireman helmets. As well as being functional, it is nice to look at and I like the intricate design.”

John Gilmore, radio presenter, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, Favourite item: Dolly Tub

“Everyone had one of these. I remember my Nan using one.”

Huckleberry Films, Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington, Favourite vitem: Scottish Piper

“The loveliest thing about the house for me is the little Scottish piper figure at the bottom of the stairs. He’s so unexpected, and he’s just so fascinating.

"He reminds you of Scotland and you wonder what he’s doing in Accrington. I’d take him home and have him on my coffee table!”