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Local distortions in perovskite-like orthochromites are of extreme importance for the properties they exhibit. Here, we present the results of structural and DC magnetisation measurements combined with local probe studies in polycrystalline ErCrO₃. The electric field gradient (EFG) parameters’ evolution with temperature shows two clear signals of local environment changes, one at the ferroelectric phase transition (<i>T_FE</i>) and the other below 250 K. At the claimed <i>T_FE</i>, the EFG changed from a slightly distorted axial symmetric to an EFG with axial symmetry (evidence that the local point-symmetry of the crystal might have changed). At a temperature around 250 K, we observed the development of a magnetic hyperfine field (MHF) and a change in the EFG to an axial slightly distorted one. These observations are rather in line with our magnetisation measurements, as a relatively strong coercive field was observed well above the Cr sub-lattice ordering temperature.