A REFURBISHED museum housing relics from West Kirby's past opens its doors to the public this weekend. 

Visitors will be able to view the permanent display at St Bridget's Centre in St Bridget's Lane, West Kirby on Saturday and Sunday from 11am – 4pm.

The weekend is part of a national event, the Festival of Archaeology and there will be hands-on activities for the family. 

Formerly known as the Charles Dawson Brown Museum, it was hidden away for more than a century and was available to view by appointment only.

The collection tells the story of a thousand years of St Bridget’s church, and is supplemented with information about the old village, the old school and other items found in or around West Kirby.

The museum's vice chairman, Mark Hughes, told the Globe: "Not many people know that West Kirby has a museum.

"Charles Dawson Brown was the local historian, antiquarian and benefactor who preserved the ancient stones which were being unearthed during the rebuilding of St. Bridget’s Church in 1869. These stones form the core of the museum collection."

The old museum room has been completely transformed into a modern, spot-lit and accessible display area.

The museum space now extends into a second room, allowing sufficient space for the exhibits to be enjoyed by the public.

During the weekend archaeologists will be on hand to help with anything you may have come across. So bring along anything of interest for the experts to examine.

There will also be a picture display of old West Kirby and the public is invited to share memories with the research team. Please bring along any photographs or memorabilia to show.

Viking history will also feature with a replica Viking age boat on display. It is of a type which would have traded in the Irish Sea and probably used by the Viking settlers of West Kirby.

There will be guided walks of West Kirby Old Village. 

St Bridget's church will also be open and this is your opportunity to see the Hogback stone and learn about its significance. There will also be a children’s trail available in the church.

Hands-on activities: There will be various archaeology-themed hands-on activities for all the family to try.

The new Museum will be open to the public every Friday afternoon from July 19 until August 30, between 12 and 3pm.

If you would like to volunteer to help us in any way please contact Heather Chapman on 0151 625 7013.

For more information visit www.westkirbymuseum.co.uk  or www.facebook.com/WKMuseum.