FOR most people, the Easter weekend is the first proper break of the year - the first Bank Holidays since New Year’s Day.

Many people will be celebrating two four-day weeks at work or a timely rest from studies.

And of course it is always a time to enjoy as much chocolate and as many treats as possible.

In amongst all the over-indulgence, similar to Christmas time, it’s easy to forget precisely why we celebrate the occasion.

The Easter period is the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church.

It is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches as the resurrection of Jesus, three days after his death, is marked.

This time last year, it was the eve of the Queen’s visit to Blackburn Cathedral to hand out Maundy Relief money.

For those of no or a different faith, the four-day weekend is the perfect opportunity to take a breath - or perhaps catch up on some much-needed DIY.

It is also a chance to spend precious time with family and friends. East Lancashire has a plethora of fun lined up, whether hunting Easter eggs or duck racing is your recreation of choice.

Grab your Easter bonnet and enjoy it all.