EAST Lancashire is home to two of the earliest youth hostels established by the Youth Hostel Association.

And this Saturday, September 5, on YHA Day, the centres in Earby and Slaidburn, will open their doors to give information and show visitors what they offer.

Half-price memberships will also be available between 10am and 5pm and refreshments will be served in exchange for a donation to Breaks for Kids.

This is a charitable fund helping disadvantaged children join in with school trips to a youth hostel Earby youth hostel was once the home of one of the town’s most famous residents – Katharine Bruce Glasier, who was one of the founder members of the Independent Labour Party.

She also played an important part in the beginnings of nursery schools, and led the campaign to persuade mine owners to install pit-head baths, so grime and coal dust were left at the colliery and not brought home.

Slaidburn youth hostel is one of the oldest in the network, having originally opened its doors to visitors in 1933, soon after the association was formed.

The Grade II-listed building was previously a coaching inn, known as The Black Bull and references to it go back to the 18th century, though parts are probably older than that.

When it was adapted as a hostel the name was changed to Kings House, commemorating a local family whose history in the area extends back to the 16th century.