IT was a green space designed to give the workers of Blackburn somewhere to walk, escape and relax from the demands of the industrial revolution.

The land on which Corporation Park now stands was bought in 1855 after the town sold some surrounding moorland to pay for it.

East Park and West Park Road were built on either side of the area taking the total cost of the new park to around £4,480 - a not inconsiderable sum in those days.

The Mayor of Blackburn, William Pilkington, opened the park in 1857 with factory bosses taking the rare step of giving their employees the day off to attend. It is estimated that over 60,000 people were at the opening.

Since then the park has played a key role in the social life of the town and remains a popular attraction with a number of surprise features for those prepared to look.

These photos from the archives celebrate some of them.