RESIDENTS in Sabden are celebrating a special centenary today - the 100th anniversary of their small village achieving its 'independence'.

To mark the occasion an exhibition will be held at the village primary school over the Easter weekend featuring some historic images - many of which have lain unseen for years.

Although the parish records aren't clear, local historians believe that April 1, 1904, was the exact date that Sabden was given permission to have its own parish council.

Previously it had come under the control of a number of neighbouring parish councils including those of Pendleton and Read.

Sabden resident David Eaves, who along with local teacher Audrey Barrett, has put together the exhibition said: "Sabden was really not much more than a collection of farms before the printing works opened in the 1870s.

"However, the village grew from then and by the turn of the century it was clear that it needed its own parish council to make decisions about village life."

David and Audrey have been working for two years on the project and they intend to produce a book Sabden: Past and Present which, will be published in November.

"We have had a tremendous response from villagers and organisations to our plea for old photos," said Audrey.

"Some are real gems, in particular, a number of very old glass negatives from the turn of the 20th Century showing family groups and locations.

"Sadly there are no names to these photos and we are hoping residents will come along to the exhibition to help identify these people."

Visitors to the exhibition can also subscribe to the book with profits going to four local churches in the area.

The exhibition runs from Easter Saturday to Easter Monday from 11am to 4pm. Admission is free.