WE don’t always appreciate the history that’s all around us in a lively modern town like Bolton.

However, annual Heritage Days offer an often unique – and free - opportunity to go into some historic local places that we would otherwise never see and discover just why they’re real gems.

These include the strongroom at Bolton Library where archives may help with family history research, a fresh look at Smithills Hall, St James the Great Church in Daisy Hill and the chance to go into the bell tower at Trinity Church in Horwich. Just go to https://www.heritageopen-days.org.uk/news-desk/news/heritage-open-days-2017-launches-in-style to find out more.