VISITORS to a special exhibition in Earby at the weekend were treated to a display of what life was like in the town during the First World War.

Hundreds of visitors were impressed with a variety of displays and special performances at the exhibition, titled Our First World War, which commemorates the centenary of the start of the global conflict in 1914.

"The general opinion of visitors is that it was a brilliant exhibition," said Bob Abel, chairman of Earby History Society. " A lot of people didn't expect to see so much. They were absolutely gobsmacked."

Barry Blood, vice president of the Skipton Royal British Legion, officially opened the exhibition on Saturday morning. After an address by the Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Graham Roach, children from Earby Springfield Primary School sang.

On Saturday, Eleanor Jolley set up a casualty clearing station to depict what it was like on the front line treating soldiers.

David Casserly also told stories about what life was like in the trenches for soldiers serving in the war.

"We tried to re-create the atmosphere in the trenches and at a typical casualty clearing station," said Mr Abel. "These were very well received by visitors.

"The place was absolutely packed on Saturday morning and there was a steady flow of people throughout the day."

Mr Abel also said a lot of visitors came through the door on Sunday. Those that did were treated to an afternoon performance by Earby Brass Band as well as two World War One poetry recitals.

"Peter Young, musical director of Earby Brass Band, wrote a special piece of music for the day called Of True Renown," said Mr Abel. "We were very honoured that he did this for us."

Steve Marshall, another member of Earby History Society, penned a poem he recited on the day, and Lew Stott, a member of Earby Brass Band, recited a famous World War One poem.

Mr Abel was very appreciative of memorabilia provided by local people as well a variety of artefacts loaned by the Royal Dragoons Museum in York, the Craven Museum in Skipton and the Infantry Museum in Preston.

The exhibition was part of a £6,000 World War One project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Mr Abel said the project was launched earlier this year with the publishing of a book - Earby in the First World War - written by Stephanie Carter.

A record of the town's commemorations of the First World War is being filmed on a DVD being produced by Brian Fieldhouse, of the Reverb Factory. The DVD will be available after Earby's Remembrance Day services.