CAMPAIGNERS who have fought to preserve the memory of the 'jewel in Burnley's crown' will be marking their 50th anniversary later this month.

Sir Simon Towneley will visit his ancient family seat to unveil a restored painting to mark the golden jubilee of the Towneley Hall Society on April 13.

Society stalwarts have funded, to the tune of £4,000, the conservation of a Pre-Raphaeltie painting entitled 'How Lisa Loved The King', by Edmund Blair Leighton.

Another major investment has seen the installation of two Discobolus, or disc thrower statues, which are reproductions of the last major purchase by collector Charles Towneley.

The original, which dates back to 460BC, is in the National Gallery, but its Burnley replicas, which cost £8,600, can be found at Towneley in front of the Zoffany self-portrait and the Green Regency Room.

Just over the past 14 years alone, including a major bequest in 2004, the society has provided gifts totalling more than £121,000 to the hall.

Rita Walsh, honorary secretary, said: "The hall is known locally as 'the jewel in Burnley's crown' and is becoming increasingly famous nationwide as television programmes such as Antiques Master, Antiques Roadshow and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is."

Antiques expert Eric Knowles, originally from Nelson, was overjoyed when Antiques Master was filmed at Towneley, a place he has fond memories of from his youth.

Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley Cllr Andy and Lorna Tatchell will be the guests of honour for the Leighton painting unveiling, alongside Heather Davies, head of the Lancashire Conservation Studio in Preston, Burnley Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Gordon Birtwistle and his wife Kathleen, and Bernard Rostron, chairman of the British Association of Friends of Museums.

The society is not shy about taking in other places of historical interest, arranging recent visits to Astley Hall, Stonyhurst College, Whalley Church, Eastby Japanese Gardens, All Saints Church in Mitton and Shibden Hall.