TOURISTS to northern France will soon be able to sample a little piece of Hyndburn history.

Three ambassadors for Accrington Pals are spending this weekend in the Somme armed with leaflets, plates and postcards to leave in the French museums.

The ill-fated battalion's historian and author Bill Turner has joined Accrington librarian Helen Barratt and Helen Heyes from the leisure services department for the trip.

It is planned as both a fact-finding mission and an attempt to encourage visitors to East Lancashire.

The group left on Thursday and are travelling in Mr Turner's car and through the Channel Tunnel. They are visiting museums, the Pals Memorial and spending three days in a farmhouse, the cellar of which was used as a medical centre during the first world war.

Soldiers used to inscribe their names and places of origin on the walls and one signature is said to be of a man from Oswaldtwistle.

Accrington tourist information centre promotions assistant Marry Brooks said: "We planned the trip because we get a great many requests at the tourist office from people who go out to visit that region of France.

"They want to know more about the area of the Somme during the first world war and Accrington's links with the region.

"After the trip we will be able to give them more information.

"We are even looking into the possibility of organising tours to the region if there is enough interest."

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