VISITORS to the first Chorley Flower Show will get a unique opportunity to see paintings in Astley Hall like they have never seen them before.

The ‘Up close and personal: portraits from the Great Hall at eye level’ exhibition will be a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to view the paintings from a different angle before they return to their usual elevation after the conservation work has been completed.

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The two-day event, held on August 1 and 2 in Astley Park, will include a grand marquee featuring gold-medal winning entrants from some of the country’s biggest shows and a chance to see Chorley’s award-winning RHS Chelsea Flower Show exhibit ‘The Evaders’ Garden’.

Celebrity gardeners David Domoney and Bob Flowerdew will also be answering questions in the gardening theatre.

The pieces in the art show are major oil paintings showing historical figures with connections to Astley Hall, including the Charnock, Brooke and Towneley-Parker families.

The exhibition also includes portraits of King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell who have also had an influence on the Hall’s history.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, said: “We’re keen to make the most of what we’ve got in the park to make it different to the other shows.”

Tickets are on sale priced £4 adults, £2 children and £10 for a family ticket – you can buy them at chorley.gov.uk and wristbands will be available in Chorley Council’s Union Street offices, Malcolm’s Musicland, on Chapel Street, Café Ambio, in Asltey Park, and Botany Bay.