From the world's oldest cricket green to a medieval Priory once owned by Henry I, Merton's rich heritage was displayed in all its glory at an interactive library event on Saturday.

Children's activities, bite size history talks and photography workshops were among free events enjoyed by more than 850 people at the Merton Heritage Discovery Day in Morden library.

Highlights included a children's archaeology session featuring a mini-excavation led by the Merton Priory Trust and renowned archaeologist Dave Saxby.

Throughout the day, a 'market place' hosted stalls from Merton's many active heritage groups, such as the John Innes Museum to Mitcham Cricket Green Community & Heritage.

An interactive display from the Wandle Trust showed the effect of the River Wandle on the environment; and a photo display charted the experiences of nurses and patients at Morden Hall military hospital during the First World War.

Visitors were also able to reminisce about Merton in the swinging sixties by reading old copies of the Wimbledon Boro' News.

Councillor Nick Draper, Merton Council's cabinet member for community and culture, said the event was just the start of a council-driven promotion of the borough's rich heritage.

He said: "The heritage day is like the public face but behind the scenes you have got all sorts going on.

"We are getting the Chamber of Commerce involved and interested from the point of view of starting a proper tourism industry and we are beginning to get far greater interest from the National Trust.

"It's looking very positive for Merton. It's the obvious - we have got the tennis, that's the starter for 10. The tennis is only two weeks but it gets us on the map.

"It's less obvious coming down to Merton but we have got the [Merton Priory] Chapter House which should be running by 2017 and that will be a growing attraction.

"We've also got Morden Hall Park which is always cited as one of London's hidden treasures."

Ongoing projects organised by the council's heritage team include Carved in Stone, which explores Merton's role in the First World War.

To find out more about heritage events in Merton, visit merton.gov.uk/leisure/history-heritage.htm.