RESIDENTS in Burnley will have the chance to trace back their family history at a special event taking place in April.

The family history exploration day is being held at Gawthorpe Hall in Padiham as part of a project that is collecting people’s memories of the hall.

The Portraits of the Past project has been running by Mid Pennine Arts since summer last year.

It was set up from funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Your Heritage Programme as a way to record information about the hall for future generations.

The event on April 4 will allow participants can take a tour of Gawthorpe Hall and explore the Shuttleworth family history, before working on how to investigate their own family with help from the Lancashire County Council Community Heritage team.

Participants will also get to experiment with creative ways to keep and display their family tree. Basic computer skills would be helpful, but not essential.

Places are free and lunch is included, numbers are limited so booking is essential. To book a place contact Mid Pennine Arts on 01282 421986 ext 204.

For more information about the project visit midpenninearts.org.uk