Former courtroom reveals its secrets

VISITORS could go back in time to an era when criminals met their fate inside the glorious surroundings of Rochdale Town Hall, as its old courtroom opened for public tours for the first time in its history.

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Residents were able to tour the old courtroom for the first time in the town hall's history; inset Rebecca Parkinson, known as 'Big Becca'

The stunning room, within the Grade I listed building, is now the council chamber, but was once the place where criminals learned their fate for offences like pick pocketing, larceny and even, in one case, stealing pigeons.

This fascinating space would have seen thousands of unfortunate residents pass through, having operated as a magistrates' court from 1872 until around the early 1980s.

A spiral staircase, now lost to time, would have transported the accused from the borough's police station and cells, located on the floor underneath the chamber, up to the dock.

Last weekend (September 19-21), people were able to find out about the characters who passed through, as well as the magistrates and police officers who brought them to book, as part of a series of tours put on as part of the national Heritage Open Days (HODs) celebration.