VISITORS to Helmshore Textile Museums will soon be able to take part in an interactive introduction to Lancashire's textile history.

Because of its unique textile collection, the museum was one of just 54 places in the country to be designated as having a collection of national importance and as a result was able to apply for a grant from a challenge fund to pay for the transformation of the downstairs galley.

Traditionally the area has been used to introduce visitors to the textile industry but by Easter it will explain how people used to rear their own animals, shear them, spin the wool and create textiles in their own homes.

It also details inventors, the start of industrialisation and as part of the project the mill's 1770 Arkwright water frame, the only complete one in the world, has been relocated.

Catherine Pearson, visitor services officer, said: "The frame is a late 18th Century piece of equipment made by Richard Arkwright. It takes cotton sliver and draws it out into fine thread adding a twist to give it strength.

"When people come into the reception area they will go from there into this new gallery called Revolution. It will be officially open from the end of May but when people come at Easter they will be able to see most of the area already complete."

And this year the museums, which is made up of two mills, will be open throughout the season seven days a week.

From March 23 the museums will open every weekend from noon to 5pm and also every weekday until November 3.

Catherine said: "It is a new challenge for us to be open these hours and it is a very exciting time for the museum with all the changed taking place."

The museums has two mills, the first was converted to a museum in 1967 and in its present format Helmshore Textile Museums opened in 1984.