The Heritage Open Days on September 13 and 14 will feature guided tours of Morecambe and Lancaster Town Halls, plus many more historic premises.

At Morecambe Town Hall visitors will have the chance to discover many hidden treasures including a mosaic of the Morecambe Coat of Arms at the foot of the impressive staircase, the Scroll of the College of Heralds and the Morecambe Mace.

The book of Honorary Freemen, which includes the admission of 1930-40s comedian Albert Modley, will also be available for viewing.
Morecambe Town Hall is also home of the ship's bell of HMS Morecambe Bay which is often visited and rung by the relatives of those who served on her.

At Lancaster Town Hall visitors can see:
* The imposing Council Chamber with the grand Mayor's chair;
* The Mayor's Parlour with the fine collection of civic silver and Gillow furniture including the magnificent centrifugal table;
* The majestic Ashton Hall with its grand concert organ and the fine display of heraldic art on the ceiling;
* The former Magistrate's Court Room complete with the original furniture. From the prisoner's dock visitors will be 'sent down' to view the atmospheric subterranean police cells, which held Lancaster's notorious double murderer, Dr Buck Ruxton.

Tours of Lancaster Town Hall take place at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Tours of Morecambe Town hall take place at 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4pm.

Admission is by ticket only. They are available in advance from Lancaster Town Hall Customer Service Centre for the Lancaster tour or Morecambe Town Hall Customer Service Centre for the Morecambe tour.

All tours can be pre-booked and tickets will be issued in advance (to be collected).

For more information before the weekend of September 13/14 telephone 01524 582491 or visit heritageopendays.org.uk

* THE secrets and hidden gems of Lancaster's past will also be revealed at a three-day Lancaster Unlocked Weekend from September 19 to 21.

Lancaster's top 10 heritage attractions will be throwing open their doors so the public can discover for themselves the fascinating facts, features and buried treasures that make the city so unique.

For the first time ever, the 10 attractions are working together to organise the weekend and rare artifacts, records and back-stage areas that are customarily tucked well away from prying eyes will be dusted down and put onto public display.

Members of the public will also be given the freedom to take part in a huge range of activities that will give them a privileged insight into the ancient city's past and the unique work that goes on behind the scenes, making it such a lively place today.

From discovering 'naughty ancestors' to military milestones, from model boats to strict Victorian school lessons, and from backstage theatre to mini-beasts, Lancaster Unlocked will unveil everything in the city's attractions that is usually out-of-bounds to visitors.

There'll be a chance to take a look at the convict archive held at Lancaster Castle, where an expert will be on hand to assist visitors to search the archive to see if any of their ancestors were tried or held in the Castle or transported from the historic port.

If theatricals are more your style, then there are rare opportunities at both of the town's theatres, The Grand and The Dukes.

The Priory and St Peter's Cathedral will offer visitors a look behind the scenes, with the opportunity to see rare artifacts, stunning stained glass and embroidery work and a closer look at the historic bells.

The weekend also offers the chance to get involved and visitors to Judges' Lodgings will be met by the resident school master who will put them through their paces in a Victorian schoolroom experience.

Families will enjoy a visit to Williamson Park, with the chance to get up close and personal with the resident mini-beasts, including snakes, spiders frogs and insects and Lancaster's Maritime Museum invites you to bring along your own model boats to show.