GALLERY Oldham is inviting the town's residents and visitors from beyond to celebrate its plans for the £13 million OMA – Oldham’s new heritage and arts centre – and the National Lottery’s 25th birthday.

The public can visit the gallery on Saturday, November 30 from 1pm to 4pm, to view the plans.

Town hall chiefs say plans for the new OMA building have reached an exciting phase they want to share them with people in the town.

Contractor Interserve has been appointed, plans finalised, and progress on site will be visible in spring, bosses say.

Visitors are invited to the "OMA Transformation Party" and to book on to a behind the scenes tour and explore the art and natural collections of Gallery Oldham online at www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-of-the-natural-history-store-tickets-81763000335.

It is an opportunity to see a special display of the OMA building plans at Oldham Local Studies and Archives and watch a digital fly-through of what the restored building will look like on completion.

Visitors can also take a step back in time and find out more about some special historic items from the original old library.

They can also take a glimpse at the "incredible" 3D scans created by University Campus Oldham which organisers say have captured "every detail, nook, cranny and feature" of the old building.

There's also a chance for people to put their creative side to the test and help compose a new song about Oldham and OMA with Lancashire singer and songwriter, Jay Stansfield.

Artist Alison Cooper will also be on hand to help create some "super sun" prints inspired by intricate drawings of the Old Library building.

People can also join in with The Love Letter to Oldham, a huge community writing project capturing everything you love about where you live.

Rebekah Sutcliffe, strategic director of communities and reform, said: “I encourage everyone to come along to this event and find out more about the brilliant new plans to bring the Old Library building back to life into this exciting new venue. OMA brings together the work of Gallery Oldham, Oldham Theatre Workshop, Oldham Arts Development and Oldham Local Studies and Archives into one shared space.

“There’s a full day of activities for all the family and you will get chance to see the new exciting plans for the building, set to open in 2021. OMA is part of our commitment to improve Oldham’s cultural offer in the town centre and beyond.”

The project has been made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside local philanthropist Sir Norman Stoller. This year the National Lottery is 25 years old and is marking the many schemes it has funded with a special #ThanksToYou campaign.