SINCE the Bolton Evening News was founded in 1867, your local newspaper has built up an extensive collection of documents and photographs depicting the life of the town and the changing ways in which the paper has been produced.

Now an exhibition has been put together that will be opened to visitors to the Churchgate Festival, which gets under way this weekend.

Highlights of the free exhibition, at our offices in Churchgate from 10.30am to 4pm on Saturday, include copies of letters sent to the newspaper by famous authors, including JM Barrie and Arthur Conan Doyle, who were commissioned by the Bolton Evening News to write short stories which were syndicated around the world.

And there are photographic displays of town centre streets, taken by Bolton Evening News photographers over the years which show the changes that have occurred.

There are also old photographs, some dating back to Victorian times, picturing the staff of The Bolton News, who were then based at Mealhouse Lane, at work and at play.

Copies of all the photographs on view will be available to order.

A selection of Bolton Evening News front pages are also on display alongside a film show of how the paper was put together in the days of hot metal production.

Children get to join in the fun with their own quiz too.

The Bolton News librarian Jackie Longbottom said: “It is the first time we have done anything like this and it is a fascinating insight into the work and history of the newspaper.”

To mark the occasion we’ll be giving away a free print showing historic Churchgate to every customer who buys a copy of The Bolton News from our offices, while stocks last.