CHILD Action Northwest is gearing up for its annual fundraiser that dates back to an event that was one of the oldest traditions in the community calendar.

‘Pound Day’ was first established as an appeal by Blackburn Orphanage on the June 24 1892 by the founder of the charity, James Dixon.

He asked local people to donate a pound and for those that couldn't afford it, a pound of a useful household product such as tea, sugar, flour or soap which could be used in the running of the children's home at Wilpshire.

Fundraiser, Harriet Roberts said: “Every year the orphanage opened its doors to the public and held the open day in the grounds.

“It went on for many years and ex-residents tell me that they remember being involved in scrubbing the place from top to bottom in anticipation of the big day.”

This year’s event will be staged at Oswaldtwistle Mills where, along with a full size funfair, project teams from the charity will be each running their own fundraising stalls and explaining more about the charity’s work today.

It will take place on Sunday, June 8, from 10am to 4pm.