EGERTON residents threw a sun-soaked bash to celebrate 100 years of enjoying their local park.

The Egerton Park Centenary Gala took place to mark 100 years since the Deakin family donated the beauty spot to residents.

Families enjoyed a fun-filled day of entertainment, food and drink thanks to the Egerton Park Improvement Committee (EPIC).

Cllr David Greenhalgh said: “Everyone had a fantastic day and we were thrilled that so many people turned out.

“The park was absolutely packed and it is all thanks to the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to organise this event.”

The gala also marked a poignant moment in Egerton’s history as the park was officially donated to the people of Egerton on August 6, 1914 — just two days after Britain declared war on Germany.

Cllr Greenhalgh added: “Historically today was important too. We actually bought our celebrations forward a month so it did not clash with the World War One centenary.

“The park would have opened just two days after war was declared. There must have been a lot of people talking about it that day. Many of them would not have known what lay ahead.”