TWO hundred years of history will be brought to life during the celebrations of Rock Hall's bicentenary tomorrow.

Park rangers will perform as some of the characters who have passed through the hall during a garden party between 1pm and 4pm.

Eagley Brass Band will provide the soundtrack to the event at the hall's gardens in Moses Gate Country Park, Hall Lane, Farnworth, where refreshments and games will be on offer.

Rock Hall was built in 1807 for the Crompton family, who were local papermakers based within the park.

Thomas Crompton, the most famous member of the family, revolutionised the papermaking process with a new way of drying paper.

He became a millionaire and a leading industrialist of his day.

Later, the hall housed managers of the paper mill until its closure. It was turned into a visitor centre in the early 1980s.

Events exploring the park's past will be held throughout the summer.

Visitors will be able to view the orchids and other flowers at the nature reserve during an event entitled From Chemical Plight to Floral Delight, between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on June 27.

The park's industrial past as a works for chemicals, coal, paper, brick and bleach will be revealed at an event on July 4, between 6.30pm and 9pm.

For more information about any of the events, call the rangers on 01204 334343.