A FOUR-day free festival celebrating the heritage of the Burnley area begins tomorrow.

Among the event’s historical delights is a Second World War textile on display at Gawthorpe, Padiham’s own “Little Downton”.

It is a Battle of Britain lace panel, valued at more than £5,000. Only 19 panels exist in the world and it was woven in Nottingham between 1942 and 1946.

It depicts scenes of the bombing of London, together with the badges of the Allied air forces and Winston Churchill’s famous phrase ‘Never was so much owed by so many to so few’.

Organisers hailed the exhibition as a special commemoration in the name of Ronald Kay-Shuttleworth, a son of the family house and RAF pilot, who died in the Battle of Britain.

There will also be events at the Canalside, Extwistle Hall, Ightenhill Park, Mount Zion Church, Oak Mount Mill Engine House, the Crematorium, St Andrew’s Church, St Catherine’s Church, Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, St Peter’s Church, St John’s Church, St Stephen’s Church and the Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre.

Rachel Pollitt, museum manager at Gawthorpe, said: “We are very small compared to one of those huge estates such as Downton, but with the stables, tea rooms, gardens and kitchen, we have just as much but are compact.

“What we have on display is an amazing piece of textile. It’s huge and is a really impressive piece of work.

“We have lots of other things going on too, and it’s all free, so it’s a great thing for local people.”

There will also be original plaster ceilings on show, and a rare opening for the Victorian library.

Coun Bea Foster, Burnley Council’s member for leisure and culture, said: “This year’s Heritage Open Days, organised by Burnley Civic Trust with the support from the council, have something to offer for everyone.”

A copy of the Burnley Heritage Open Days broch- ure, with a full list of events, can be picked up at the town hall, local libraries and downloaded at http://bit.ly/1pfbPey.