A COMMEMORATION of the Battle of Britain will take place at a historic Lancashire stately home on Saturday.

The event at Padiham's Gawthorpe Hall will explore its former owners the Kay-Shuttleworth family's links to the crucial Second World War aerial battle between the RAF and the German Luftwaffe.

It will also remember the sacrifice made by RAF aircrew to mark national Battle of Britain Day.

The newly-purchased Battle of Britain lace panel, now part of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection, will be on display.

The panel was woven in Nottingham between1942 to 1946 to commemorate the Battle of Britain and as a tribute to those who fought in it.

The 38 panels depict scenes of the bombing of London, the aircraft used in the battle, the badges of the Allied Air Forces and Winston Churchill’s remark that ‘Never was so much owed by so many to so few.’

Numerous special activities will be the hall on Saturday from 1pm to 4pm aimed at visitors of all ages.

Exhibitions highlighting the link between the Kay-Shuttleworth and the nation-saving aerial conflict entitled 'Brothers in Arms' and ‘Battle of Britain Lace Panel: Then and Now’ running until November 4 will open.

Flying Officer Richard Shuttleworth, heir of the Kay-Shuttleworth family was killed in action flying a Hurricane during the Battle of Britain.

The display will also tell the story of the lives and the tragic deaths of two other heirs of the family, Lawrence and Edward, while serving in 1917. Richard’s younger brother Ronald was killed in North Africa in 1942.

The exhibition includes personal archives from the Kay-Shuttleworth family on display for the first time,