A NEW charge has been introduced for Burnley people visiting a historic venue.

All adults visiting Towneley Hall, including those living in the borough, will now have to pay £5 for a 12-month pass.

This will allow people to visit the hall as many times as they like throughout the year.

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Previously a charge of £4 only applied to adults living outside the borough.

Students and children aged 17 and under can continue to visit for free.

The Friends of Towneley Park has welcomed the move saying it is ‘good value for money’.

Maureen Frankland, chair of the group, said: “I think a £5 charge is amazing really.

“If this is our contribution to keeping the park and the hall alive I think it is a worthwhile investment.

“Previous generations have had to make a contribution to the hall. I think years ago if you left your umbrella at the doorway you had to pay a penny.

“At other venues like the hall you have to pay a lot more. I think it’s still a very economical day out even with this charge.”

The decision was taken in an attempt to balance Burnley Council’s budget in the face of ‘severe’ cuts.

Burnley Corporation purchased Towneley Hall and 62 acres of parkland from Lady O’Hagan in 1902 for around £2million in today’s money.

At the time the hall was empty and most of the oak trees in the woodland had been felled.

The hall and the surrounding park were subsequently restored and are now a popular visitor attraction with the hall is a museum that houses a variety of displays, including a vast array of Egyptology, Pat Colbran, secretary of the friends group, said: “It’s one of those things, you’ve got to make the money up somewhere.

“I think it’s a fair charge because we don’t want to end up losing the hall altogether.

“Some people will probably disagree with it, because the belief was that the hall was given to Burnley on the condition that Burnley residents would not be charged.

“However I am not against it and think it’s good value for money.”

Cllr Bea Foster, the council’s executive member for leisure and culture, said: “We’ve reluctantly had to take the decision to introduce an entrance charge for borough residents.

“This decision was taken in light of cuts to Government funding and is part of a wider series of measures to balance the budget.”