A POIGNANT exhibition commemorating the Accrington Pals is set to open in the town to mark the 95th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.

Members of Baxenden Community Forum and Pals expert, Walter Holmes have just completed a special display at the Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington.

The exhibition opening will open on Friday, July 1, 90 years to the day since hundreds of lives were lost when British Battalions went ‘over the top’ in Northern France.

In the first 30 minutes of the battle, 235 Accrington men were killed and 350 injured.

In resultant four-month offensive, there were around a million casualties among all forces involved.

Bill Mathews, Frank McVan and Michael Clarkson from the Baxenden Community Forum have selected various items of Pals memorabilia for a historical information display.

In addition there also hung three commemorative mosaics designed and created by Hyndburn children and artist Sue Gibson for the 90th anniversary commemoration in 2006.

Historian Walter Holmes, supplied in-depth research photographs of the young men who were part of the regiments.

Haworth learning and access Officer, Yvonne Robins said: “It was great to involve the local community in selecting and putting up the exhibition, although the information on show is a poignant reminder of how so many young men lost their lives.”

The exhibition is on show at the Haworth until October 30.

There will also be a short act of remembrance at the Chorley Pals Memorial on the Flat Iron, Chorley at 7.30am on Friday.

A wreath will be laid by trustees of the Chorley Remembrance project at the exact time the offensive began.