LOCAL folk were able to find out about the benefits of volunteering at an open day at the Mary Hindle Resource Centre, Haslingden.

The festival of volunteering event marked the first anniversary of the £500,000 centre which was created by converting a dilapidated pub building in Bury Road.

Visitors were able to speak to experienced volunteers and to look round the facilities including the disability friendly IT suite and the resource room.

Rooms were organised into themes such as environment, health, youth and age and the elderly.

There were displays by local voluntary and community groups including Haslingden Environment Trust, Haslingden and Helmshore Credit Union, Rossendale Domestic Violence Forum, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Services, East Lancashire Writers' Group, Stroke Association, Accrington and District Blind association, SMILE, East Lancashire, Rossendale Civic Trust and Haslingden Community Forum which runs the centre.

Retired secretary, Jean Sudworth, 60, who volunteers for the environment trust, community forum and Haslingden Methodist Church commented: "It is worthwhile because you are making a positive difference to your town and to people's lives.

"I meet interesting people and have a lot of fun."