TIMES were tough, food was strictly rationed and families torn apart as their loved ones died in conflict.

To many, it will seem like yesterday — but the start of World War Two was in fact 70 years ago.

To commemorate the anniversary of the year the Germans launched an offensive on Poland, a special art exhibition is to be launched.

Life in the war years will be relived through photographs — many from the archives of the Bolton Evening News — at Horwich Heritage Centre.

The exhibition will last for six months and will be opened by the Mayor of Horwich, Cllr Tom Farmer, at 10am on Saturday (May 2).

Horwich Heritage Chairman Stuart Whittle said: “The exhibition covers many aspects of the Second World War including the Horwich Home Guard, military uniforms and medals, scale models of planes and warships, rationing, childhood memories, information on evacuees billeted in the town, speeches, songs and films.

“There is something for everyone to remind them of those dramatic life-changing days and we would encourage local groups and schools in particular to arrange visits and experience what life was like in the war years.”

The exhibition will commemorate the 127 men from Horwich who lost their lives. The town was relatively unscathed in the war, with only one incendiary bomb exploding in Lever Park Avenue, but fortunately no-one was killed.

Horwich Loco Works and the De Havilland Aircraft Factory at Lostock were on the German hit list and luckily escaped being struck.

It is rumoured that Rockhaven castle, an extravagant residence on the moor above Horwich, was demolished in 1942 because it provided a point of reference for German bombers flying over the town.

The Heritage Centre will be open every weekday from 2 to 4pm and Saturdays 10am to 12.30pm. Admission is free.

For more details contact Stuart Whittle on 01204 847797 or Norman Pendlebury on 01204 692930.