HISTORIAN Janice Hayes’ enthusiasm and curiosity for the town is infectious.

And as the team at Warrington Museum threw a party for their much-loved colleague to celebrate 40 years since she began working there, Janice shared some of her memories, favourite exhibits and hopes for the future.

She first started as a museum education officer in August 1977 but said she still has not seen every item: “I haven’t even seen everything in the museum in the whole 40 years I have been here.

“Almost every subject you can think of, we can find some fascinating things and tell the story of Warrington.

“I remember on one occasion finding George Harrison in the museum, he was a big George Formby fan and he came in quietly to view an exhibition we had put on.”

Janice also remembers Brucie the bear, thought to date back to 1905, being donated to the museum and his companion doll, Dorothy, then being flown in for the collection from Canada after a relative had accidentally split the pair up.

She has also published a successful series of books about the town and her latest title, Warrington at Work, is set to hit the shelves next month.

Janice said: “I’m Warrington born and bred and so is my family several generations back.

“We should preserve out heritage, it’s what makes the town special and different from lots of other towns.

“We have had some really good exhibitions. The Natural History Museum has visited us because we were founded in the same year, 1848, and we were very pleased when they said we have items that are as good as those in their museum.

“I enjoy finding out quirky stories. Some people find museums to be dead places but I don’t, there is always something for the future here. And I’m part of a great team of people.

“Every gallery I work in is my favourite for the day.

“I think I must have found the right job because there’s always something new to see.”