HASLINGDEN Library is set to take on a continental look next month with an exhibition of photographs from five European countries.

Friends of Bocholt have brought the exhibition from Rossendale's German twin town, and the Valley's mayor, Eileen Kershaw, will open the display this Saturday.

In 2002, Bocholt celebrated 10 years of its official link with both Rossendale and a small town in Belgium which shares the name Bocholt.

The German town is also celebrating twinning with other towns in France and Lithuania.

With the anniversaries in mind, Bocholt asked each of its twins to take pictures which represented modern everyday life in their towns.

They converted these into large black and white prints and arranged an exhibition in Bocholt.

The pictures have since been loaned to Rossendale for an exhibition of the five faces of Europe.

Tim Nuttall, secretary of the friends group, said: "The pictures are left without captions deliberately so that the viewer doesn't have preconceived ideas.

"Some photos could be from Bocholt, Alkmene, Aurillac or Rossendale."

The exhibition will be on display at Haslingden Library until May 1.

The Friends of Bocholt hope to show it at various venues throughout the year, including a special showing as their contribution to Rossendale Alive, Rossendale Borough Council's week celebrating local culture in July.