A museum dedicated to the history of Hyndburn has expanded into the Accrington Arndale Centre.

The Hyndburn Heritage and Community Group (HHCG) has attracted thousands of people since setting up in the Market Hall last year and will now open a new exhibit space at the former H Samuel unit.

Volunteers have been given the go-ahead by Arndale Centre bosses after officially registering as a charity and said the exhibition will 'emphasise what's unique about Hyndburn'.

Bernard Scully, group vice-chairman, said he is 'delighted' to see the project finally completed and believes it will help boost footfall across the town centre.

He said: “We will put photos up in the Arndale about what people can see in the Market Hall and vice-versa.

It's all about crossing traffic through the town centre which is a win-win for everybody.

“We have been working on this for about four months with a few hours here and there and moving a lot of items over from beneath the Town Hall and inside the Market Hall. It's taken longer than expected but we are there now.”

The display area will include sections on the Accrington Pals, Ewbanks Works and Nori brick and the project has been undertaken by around a dozen people.

There will also be a World War Two area, examples of lace work and local weaving, a Victorian mangle and different cameras used over the past century.

Bernard said: “We have got to emphasise what's unique about Accrington and it's surrounding districts that nobody else has got.

“The Howard and Bullough building exported all over the world, Nori is not just brick but a product, and we also have the Accrington pals and the cotton industry.”

The museum in the Market Hall will remain however changes are under way to transform the existing chemist shop and kitchen area into a Victorian period bar and living room.

Volunteers are being sought to help keep the new Arndale Centre area open between 10am and 4pm.

Mr Scully said: “We need more people to help run it in in the Arndale Centre as they want us to be open six days a week.

“Without volunteers we can't do that as it needs a minimum of two people each time.”

The exhibition will be officially opened at 2pm on Thursday, November 28 by Hyndburn Mayor Judith Addison and will also be attended by a representative of the Arndale Centre.