A host of entertainment, events and educational activities to celebrate Black History Month is hitting Hackney this October.

The council is organising events for people of all ages to showcase Black history, culture and achievements throughout the years.

A programme of school workshops at Hackney Museum and libraries will also be on offer.

Activities include guest speaker sessions, music workshops, dance classes and song writing lessons.

A special exhibition at Hackney Museum, Strike a Pose, kick-starts the programme featuring a unique archive of community photographs mainly taken during the 1970s at Gibson’s Photo Studio in Lower Clapton Road.

The exhibition prermiers on October 1 and runs until January next year.

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet member for health, social care and culture said: “In Hackney we celebrate Black culture and achievements all year round, along with those of the many diverse communities in our borough.

“This year’s programme of events gives everyone a chance to learn more about Hackney’s Black history and how it has helped to shape the borough as we know it today.”