HISTORIC Towneley Hall is competing against nationally-renowned museums to bring the work of a leading contemporary artist to East Lancashire.

The Burnley landmark is up against Surgeons’ Hall in Edinburgh and the Market Hall Museum in Warwick to attract the talents of Alex Hartley.

Part of the Museums at Night Project, Towneley will also be taking on the Berwick Gymnasium Museum to host a free event from May 15 to 17. All cultural and heritage venues are being invited to run evening events as part of the UK wide festival.

But public votes are the key to the competition and cultural leaders are urging residents to sing the hall’s praises for judges.

Coun John Harbour, the council’s cabinet member for leisure and culture and a former borough mayor, said: “As usual Burnley is up there competing with cities and major galleries to host this event, to have got this far is proof of the cultural offer our town has.

“I’d urge everyone to vote, tell their family and friends to vote, and let’s see Towneley Hall yet again recognized nationally.”

Voting can be carried via the www.culture24. org.uk website, and a link for Alex Hartley.