BLACKBURN footwear firm Tommy Ball's is to open a museum of classic shoes - to be called the Shoes-eum.

The store, known for its sales of discount shoes, has traded from Hart Street for decades, after being set up by former barrow-boy Tommy Ball.

Now owned by businesswoman Marilyn Rigby, who also owns Byrom Supplies builders merchants, the store is to set up glass cases in the reception to showcase shoe styles from through the ages.

The idea is the brainchild of Marilyn and former Blackburn pub supremo, Margo Grimshaw, who has donated some of her collection of dozens of pairs to the store.

Mrs Rigby said: "It was Margo's idea really.

"She turned up with some fantastic shoes.

"So when people are sat there waiting to be picked up, especially when they've come on the coaches, it's something they can look at that's a bit different.

"So far we have got quite a few from Margo.

"We are showing how fashion changes but certain trends come back in again."

Margo said: "We like to think that Blackburn has one of the largest shoe shops in the world.

"I had some spare shoes and thought it was a nice idea.

"I have some from the 1960s and I am amazed anybody wore them!"

The display is intended to keep customers entertained as they wait in the shop's foyer. Tommy Ball's is a popular destination for coach trips, and is known across the UK.

But to complete the shoe-seum collection, locals are being asked to donate any shoes worthy of a place in the collection.

Mrs Rigby said: "Women especially don't throw their shoes away.

"If they have got any shoes they would like to donate to the museum, we are planning a display for the foyer just to create a bit of interest.

"I just don't know how many we will get.

"It depends if they have still got the shoes and they want to donate them."

Anybody interested in helping should contact Tommy Balls, Hart Street, on 01254 261910.