A MAJOR refurbishment to convert a 17th century barn into an art gallery and exhibition hall is a credit to East Lancashire says the president of the Ancient Monuments Society.

Dame Jennifer Jenkins, who is also chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund building advisory panel, officially opened the refurbished Park Hill Barn at Pendle Heritage Centre, Barrowford, last night in front of an audience of 100 guests.

The barn has been carefully restored and adapted to form a multi-purpose exhibition, performance and conference area, cleverly combining modern design without losing the building's historical appearance.

Dame Jennifer toured the building and afterwards said: "It's been beautifully done and shows very fine craftsmanship. I think it will be a great asset to the community and Lancashire as a whole.

"They have shown great flair in combining a 20th Century appearance with the 17th century barn. It all fits together very well.

"I was last here 20 years ago and there has been an enormous improvement to the centre as a whole since then."

The project was funded by English Partnerships (now North West Development Agency), English Heritage and the European Union.

The new exhibition area will free up extra room in the heritage centre's main building. Work is currently under way to convert another barn into a resource centre for educational visits by school children.

Dame Jennifer also visited two other Heritage Trust buildings, Lomeshaye Bridge Mill, Nelson, and Higherford Mill, Barrowford, which are being refurbished.

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