ONE hundred years on from the start of the First World War, Warrington Museum has launched two exhibitions to mark the role of the people of the borough.

Two new exhibitions mark the start of a four year project by Culture Warrington to commemorate the town's role in the Great War, and uncover the stories of local people.

When was was declared in the summer of 1914, thousands of men volunteered to fight, thinking the battles would be over soon after an easy victory.

So the first display 'It'll Be Over by Christmas', running until January 24, marks that, featuring original objects from the collections and the memories of people.

Janice Hayes is the manager of Warrington Museum.

She said: "One of the most poignant items on show is the war memorial from the former Pearson and Knowles factory on show for the first time at the Museum.

"With the help of the Bewsey Local History Group the stories of the men behind the names are beginning to emerge but the museum needs your help to make sure all their stories are fully recorded."

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“Your Country Needs You!” opens next Saturday, November 14, and runs until March.

It features original First World War posters which were sent to Warrington’s Library and Museum by the British Government for public display to try to persuade tens of thousands of men to join the armed forces.

Janice said: "Brightly coloured posters with striking images and memorable slogans were the ideal means of mass communication in an age before television, the internet and social media.

"After Britain’s involvement in recent conflicts we have all become more cynical about government propaganda justifying why the country went to war.

"This treasure trove of posters from the archive collections reveals how the government tried to manipulate public opinion during the Great War through the work of leading poster artists."

The Warrington Guardian will be revealing more stories from the collection in the coming months.