A World War One cigarette case with a bullet hole is among 70 objects to go on display in a history of St Albans exhibition.

Objects on Demand at the old Town Hall will be a chance for people to look behind-the-scenes at the district’s museum and view its collection of historic artefacts.

The smashed cigarette case was retrieved from the body of 2nd Lieutenant Frederick Freeman of Harpenden after he was killed in the Battle of the Somme.

He died at the age of 22, 100 years ago in July 1916.

Other exhibits include silk stockings made in the Ballito Hosiery factory in Hatfield Road.

The plant which opened in the early 1920s made munitions during World War Two and closed in 1967.

Cllr Annie Brewster, responsible for sport, leisure and heritage at St Albans District Council, said: “This will be a wonderful chance to look behind-the-scenes at the work done by the museum team.

“People will be able to see up close some of the collection’s most startling exhibits and experience some fascinating British history through the lens of St Albans.

“The selected 70 objects will showcase some of the amazing history of this area which stretches back thousands of years and provide a unique way of looking back into the past.

“The event will demonstrate what a huge asset the new museum and art gallery will be to the city, acting as a taster of what is planned for next year.

“We anticipate it becoming a significant visitor attraction creating a substantial boost to the local economy.”

The free event is part of Residents: Enjoy St Albans weekend on January 23 and 24 and is being held by the St Albans Museum Service.

Work is due to begin in the spring on converting the Town Hall in Market Place into a spectacular £7.75 million museum and art gallery.

In the run-up to the opening, scheduled for autumn next year, a series of pop-up events like Objects on Demand will be staged.