THERE is a chance to take a peek inside some of St Helens' most historic buildings when the borough stages a Heritage Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, September 16 and 17.

Buildings ranging from St Helens Town Hall to the Welsh Chapel at Sutton Oak will be on view to visitors, while there will be a 12-mile guided tour in a vintage bus on Sunday, showing some of the railway heritage sites in the borough.

Another highlight will be bus tours of heritage sites in St Helens, provided by the North West Museum of Transport, on both days.

Other sites taking part include one of the town's oldest buildings, the Friends Meeting House in Church Street which has been in regular use by Quakers since 1678, and the Mansion House in Victoria Park, a listed building and grounds dating from 1850.

At the World of Glass in Chalon Way East, there will be an exhibition of St Helens Council civic regalia, And at the Smithy Heritage Centre in Kiln Lane, Eccleston, photographs and artefacts will trace the history of the village, while a special treat on Saturday afternoon will be an exhibition of horseshoeing.

Meanwhile, at St Peter's Church, Church Street, Newton-le-Willows, the bell tower will be open to visitors as part of an exhibition covering the history of the church.

The weekend is being co-ordinated by the Civic Trust with the support of a number of sponsors and organisations, including English Heritage.