NEXT week marks 350 years since the Quakers first moved into Macclesfield.

The Society of Friends was founded in 1652 but there is no record of them in the area until 1669 when Gawsworth had a meeting of Quakers, most of them being yeomen.

Meetings were held in Eaton and Bosley in the early days and probably from 1701 onwards when friends were appointed to care for Quakers who were visiting the town.

A site for a meeting house was chosen just off Mill Street with the junction of Pickford Street. It was a large building and would seat up to 230 members.

The Quakers stopped having their meetings there in 1877 and it has since been turned into a nightclub.

An exhibition presenting the history of the Quakers in the town will be on show at the Macclesfield Library until Friday, May 10.

A special information day will be held on Saturday, May 11, at the Meeting House, on 45 King Street, opposite Christ Church car park.

People should drop in between 10am and 4pm, free refreshments will be available on the day.