A WEEKEND event to showcase the refurbished Accrington Town Hall as a potential wedding venue produced five bookings on the spot.

Around 50 couples attended the Open Day and tour of the Grade II Listed building to see the fully-restored ballroom and look at the plans to turn the ground floor into a space for weddings, receptions and other events.

The £1.5m renovation is due to be completed by September.

The couples were were met with prosecco, chocolate dipped strawberries before a tour of the building.

Lyndsey Sims, Chief Executive of Hyndburn Leisure, who manage Accrington Town Hall said, “There was real excitement at the event from couples, most of whom had never set foot in the building before.

"They couldn’t believe the grandeur of the staircase and ballroom and were delighted to see the plans for the final phase of refurbishment, which is currently underway on the ground floor.

"The Open Day was a great success with five weddings booked on the day.”

The first phases of renovation included the restoration of the ballroom with new bar and stage facilities and access to the refurbished second floor balcony.

Previous work included improvements to first and second floor toilets and the refitting of the first-floor kitchen.

The existing first-floor supper room was also refurbished while a new cocktail lounge and the Pals Heritage Centre have been created.