THE people of Darwen are being invited to walk in the footsteps of Gandhi and celebrate the town’s heritage.

In 1931, the statesman visited amid an Indian boycott of imported cotton which was affecting the Lancashire textile industry.

A play, ‘The Hindoo Man’, is being performed at Darwen Library Theatre next week to mark the 80th anniversary.

The heritage walk, next Wednesday, will coincide with the play and follows Gandhi’s arrival route and overnight stay.

The two-mile stroll starts at the Borough Hotel in Grimshaw Street, where Gandhi visited after he left his train.

Bernard Kennedy, from walking charity Living Streets, is leading the walk.

He said: “I’m hoping that people will share their stories about the town and its famous visitor.

“Two of the play’s actors, Jeff Moxham and Sara Ashton will be joining us, and we will pass some of the sites of cotton mills, such as Greenfield, where he met workers.

"It will stick to main roads and pathways with slight inclines and will be at a leisurely pace with stopping-off points along the way.”

‘Hindoo Man’, by Chorley-born playwright Tom Henry, will run from October 20 to 22 at 7.30pm. It is a fictionalised account of events leading up Gandhi’s arrival.

Mr Henry said: “This play is a work of fiction, but I hope it’s true to the spirit of the times and reflective of the people whose lives were touched, for better or for worse, by Gandhi's appearance in Darwen.”

The Gandhi Walk next Wednesday begins at 2pm.

Those wishing to attend should assemble at the Borough Hotel.

For further details, contact Bernard at bernard.kennedy@ livingstreets.org.uk.