IF HOLLYWOOD is to be believed, once doors at a museum are closed for the night, all exhibits come to life.

Now people in Burnley will be able to find out if that’s true on Friday as Towneley Hall takes part in Museums at Night festival.

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The initiative, which runs from May 13 until May 16, will see galleries and museums across the country opening up late and holding events after hours to encourage people to come along and see what’s available.

People visiting Towneley Hall will have the opportunity to choose from free special tours organised just for Museums at Night.

There will be general tours taking in the fascinating history of this magnificent hall and the famous Towneley family who lived there for nearly 500 years.

The one-hour tours start at 5.30pm and at 6.30pm.

Families will be able to go on a fun adventure with the hall’s intrepid explorer Professor Drake at 6pm.

The children will accompany the professor on a tour of the historic rooms where they will meet costumed staff who will help them on their adventure.

Children will be rewarded with their very own certificate of merit for completing the adventure tour.

There will also be a full tour of the hall.

This tour starts at 7pm and will last an hour and a half.

Councillor Bea Foster is the executive member for leisure and culture at Burnley Council.

She said: “I’m thrilled that Towneley Hall is involved with this project as it will enable people to access the museum at different times than normal.

“I do hope families in Burnley will take time to support the events.”

Honorary secretary of the Towneley Hall Society, Rita Walsh, said: “Museum at Night is an excellent way for even more people to enjoy the hall.

“We can report that even with the introduction of winter opening hours visitor numbers for 2014/15 are up on last year.

“We have had more than 65,000 visitors to the hall and group visits and school visits were all up on last year.

“We now look forward to a busy year ahead with this year’s events and exhibitions.”

The Night At The Museum trilogy of films stars Ben Stiller and features exhibits that come alive when all the visitors leave.

Places on each tour are limited. To book a place ring 01282 477130.