Snibston Colliery Park will celebrate local mining heritage with an exhibition later this month.

It will be held in The Studio on July 24 and will be open from 10.30 am– 4.00 pm.

The entry to the exhibition - by local societies, including Snibston Heritage Trust, Whitwick Historical Group, South Derbyshire Mining Preservation Group, Coalville Heritage Society, and others - is free.

Visitors to the Coalville venue will have a chance to talk to local experts about the mining and community history and see exhibitions about their work.

The exhibition will also feature the extensive mining collection of a local collector, Christopher Matchett.

Volunteers of the Snibston Heritage Trust will be in period costume and will explain to the public the life of a miner and his family during the 19th century.

During the day there will be guided tours of the surface buildings at Snibston Colliery by former miners - note it is not possible to go underground at Snibston.

The tours are at 11.15am, 12.45pm and 2.30pm and tickets are £2.50 per adult, children under 16 free.

Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite: A Coal Miner's Story (pre-booking is advised).

The tour will take in the colliery lamp room, control room, medical centre, No.2 pit top and winding house and conclude in the powder store where the use of explosives underground will be explained.

The tour will show how a miner got ready for his work underground and his work once underground and includes many stories and reminiscences by the guides.

Dr.Terri Eynon, Chair of the Snibston Heritage Trust said, "This the second local mining heritage exhibition the Trust has organised with local societies and in collaboration Leicestershire County Council who run the Country Park.

"The first mining exhibition was in April this year and was a great success, which shows the interest amongst local people for the local heritage and in particular the mining history.

"Mining in the area has touched many local families and people who have moved into the new houses in the area are also keen to learn more about the local heritage."

As well as the exhibition and colliery tours the Park's other facilities will be available and include the popular children's playground, pump track and the acclaimed mountain bike track. For those who wish a more leisurely activity there are fishing lagoons (which require a fishing permit), nature trails, footpaths, and picnic areas. Visitors to the Country Park, Colliery and exhibition can also get refreshments at the Colliery Café.