A RARE surviving Edwardian courtroom has opened its doors to the public.

Visitors to Lytham Magistrates Court, at the police station, now closed, is being opened on Saturday and Sunday by Lytham St Annes Civic Society.

Visitors will be presented with a view of the central dock where the prisoners used to be sent down to cells on the floor below. In the 'former' Magistrates retiring room there will be extracts updating visitors knowledge about the court itself, dating back to 1904, and the Civic Society.

They will also be able to see the two-way mirror to the cells, used to spot all kinds of dubious dealings.

The Civic Society hope people will realise the importance of what they call a 'mystical treasure' which lies in the heart of Lytham. Although the court is grade II listed the police station could soon be re-developed.

The actual celebration of the historic heritage will be done another way at St Annes parish church, which houses the town's millennium embroidery.

These venues, and the Lytham Heritage Centre, can all be reached by special vintage buses around the town on Sunday from 12pm to 4pm, beginning at Lytham Railway Station.