GHOSTS will walk and the secrets of the town’s Egyptian mummies will be revealed at Blackburn Museum and Library next week.

Clitheroe storyteller, guide to spooky Samlesbury Hall and the witches of Pendle Hill, Simon Entwistle will tip his hat to the spectral presences that haunt our streets and buildings.

The ‘Visit England’ tourism superstar finalist will lift the lid on stories such as the failed theatre-owner who terrified night-shift workers at the town’s telephone exchange in the 1950s, the Cavalier soldiers from the 1642 Royalist siege of Blackburn said to stalk Duke Brow, and the 1842 Cotton Riot victims who run in front of Darwen Street taxis.

He will perform a week tonight (May 16) at Blackburn Library after community historian Diana Rushton introduces her ancestor Roger Haydock, a weaver and quarryman turned bible seller and preacher, as part of ‘Meet the Victorian Poets at Uncle Roger’s Tea Party’.

The poetry of long forgotten bards, William Billington and John Baron, will be recited in dialect by Sid Calderbank to give a flavour of life in Victorian Blackburn.

That Thursday afternoon (May 16) at the museum, local Egyptologist Claire Ollett will guide visitors through the wonders of the Pharaohs and the amazing discoveries from Tutankhamun’s tomb.

She will reveal some of museum’s rarely seen exhibits from its Egyptology collection including a mummy, a scarab and a Pharaoh’s ring.

Children can also join an Egyptian Explorers event on Saturday, May 18, to take part in a mini-excavation and ancient arts and craft activities. Claire will be in full archaeologist costume for visitors to ask her about Egyptian relics.

On Friday (May 17), 600-year-old Turton Tower will host Shakespearean actor, Dean Taylor performing ‘The Actor’s Apology’ – a wickedly witty study of 18th Century actor George Frederick Cook.

Blackburn with Darwen leisure boss Damian Talbot said: “This is a chance to hear some of the great and spooky stories from the history of the town and see some of the Treasures of the Pharaohs we keep in the borough’s museum.”

The events are part of Pennine Lancashire’s ‘Festival of Wonders’ celebrating the county’s wondrous stories, people and places.