A PAIR of time capsules finally revealed their secrets in Blackburn today on the 112th anniversary of the burial of the first one.

Newspapers, coins, orphanage reports, and a mag-azine, were found in the glass jars which had remained hidden behind the foundation stone of the historic Blackburn Ragged School building, in Bent Street, until it was pulled down last month.

They had been placed there in 1897 and 1908.

Consultant historian Karl Taylor, 38, hailed the find.

He said: “For one time capsule to survive demolition is exciting, but two is exceptionally rare.

“The items are not in themselves of great historical importance, but they give an invaulable insight into the cultural and social history of the town.”

The capsules were smashed open with a hammer by mayor James Hirst, housing strategy manager Susan Kelly, 48, and Mr Taylor in a noon ceremony at Blackburn Town Hall.

Wrapped in copies of the Blackburn Times and Blackburn Gazette from June 3, 1897 were an annual report from the Blackburn Orphan-age, an official programme from the Ragged School, and the June 1897 edition of Rags and Rubies magazine.

A penny, half-penny, and annual report for the Ragged School, as well as copies of the Blackburn Times, Blackburn Weekly Telegraph and Black-burn Weekly Standard from August 1, 1908 were found in the other.

One newspaper report was about the ‘proposed new Blackburn Ragged School’ featured in the Blackburn Weekly Standard in 1897, while the winners of the Stonyhurst Great Academy annual awards were announced in the Blackburn Gazette in 1908.

Coun Hirst said he was impressed by the contents of the jars.

He said: “The newspapers show that people of the time enjoyed reading and were literate.

“It reflects the standards of the day and I’m worried that these are being lost.”

Six pupils from St Anne's Primary School, Zahraa Akuji, Ethan Hartand, Isaac James, Nicole Monaghan, Georgia Baker and Lisa Eaves, were also present to see the unveiling after winning a competition to suggest what should be placed in a modern capsule.

Work begins shortly to convert the site into new housing to care for the elderly.

Blackburn with Darwen Council decided to delay the opening so that it would be 112 years to the day since the first capsule was laid in the ground.

The contents will now go on temporary display in Blackburn Library before they are placed in a new time capsule, combining old and new items, which is to be buried when the care home is due for completion in the autumn.