HERE'S an image from the Telegraph archives of the Grand Theatre in Blackburn, the town's last 'live' theatre.

The curtains came down for the last time in 1956, though our photo shows the venue advertising Fran H Fortescue's Famous Players, with two shows, at 6.15pm and 8.20pm.

The theatre, in Jubilee Street, had a history spanning around eight decades - it was a simple wooden building in the 1870s, which burned down one night following a Salvation Army meeting.

In 1880 it was replaced by the Amphitheatre, before becoming the Princes Theatre.

It underwent major work in 1906, being rebuilt as the New Princes Theatre, before finally changing its name to the Grand in 1928.

It was smaller than the Palace Theatre, which was almost next door and also had competition from the Royal Theatre, before the town's 14 cinema's also began to attract its audiences.

When television arrived in the 1950s, it was a step too far and the venue was closed; it was demolished two years later to make way for Blackburn telephone exchange.

During its life it had offered a variety of stage fare, from music hall and repertory to local amateur shows.

Among the artists known to have treaded its boards are Vesta Tilley, George Formby and Ted Ray.