A VICTORIAN festival is taking place on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the police service.

Police officers will gather at Holcombe Hill to celebrate Sir Robert Peel, the Ramsbottom-born man who founded the force 180 years ago.

Officers from Ramsbottom’s Neighbourhood Policing Team will don Victorian “Peelers” costumes and meet the public at the Peel Tower and Shoulder of Mutton pub car park in Holcombe Brook.

Staff from the Greater Manchester Police Museum will demonstrate old-fashioned police equipment, such as a lead-filled truncheon, a Bull’s-Eye lantern and handcuffs.

Visitors will also have the chance to look around the Peel Tower, which is being specially opened for the day.

Insp Bryn Williams, of the Ramsbottom Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We wanted to mark the 180th anniversary of the founding of the police and what better way than by encouraging people to get to know their local officers beneath the monument which commemorates Peel’s towering contribution to life in this country.”

Volunteers from Mountain Rescue, the National Trust and the fire and rescue service will be hosting their own attractions during the festival, which runs from 11am to 4pm.