EAST Lancashire-based charity Child Action Northwest is gearing up for an annual fundraiser which dates back more than a century.

Pound Day takes place at Oswaldtwistle Mills on June 8 from 10am to 4pm.

The Blackburn-based charity restarted the event, one of the oldest traditions in the community calendar, in 2012.

It was established as an appeal by Blackburn Orphanage on June 24 1892 by founder James Dixon.

He asked local people to donate a pound and for those who couldn’t afford it, a pound of a household product such as tea, sugar, flour or soap which could be used in the running of the children’s home at Wilpshire.

Fundraiser for CANW Harriet Roberts said: “Every year the orphanage opened its doors to the public and held an open day in the grounds.

“It went on for many years and ex-residents tell me they remember being involved in scrubbing the place from top to bottom in anticipation of the big day.”

CANW revived the event in 2012 with Heritage Lottery funding, and last year Oswaldtwistle Mills became the event’s corporate partner.