A NEW exhibition at Warrington Museum is offering visitors the chance to step back in time and explore their connection to the town's industrial past.

'Made in Warrington: Steel, Stitch and Soap' will look at how the area developed rapidly as an industrial hotbed during the 19th century, highlighting three key industrial areas that have shaped the town.

By the early 19th century wire was Warrington's most important industry and firms included Rylands, Greenings, Lockers and the Whitecross and Firth Company.

Made in Warrington, which runs until February 20, will also explore the town's textile history, showcasing the sewing and garment creation techniques of the time as well as Warrington's soap making and chemical industry.

The aim of the free exhibition is to give more of an insight into Warrington's place in the 19th century industrial landscape before manufacturing industries declined.

It came about as part of a partnership between Culture Warrington and artists' collective Threadmill.

Ruth Smith, from Threadmill, said: "Once the Mersey was made navigable in the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution roared into Warrington bringing the manufacture of steel, textiles, brewing, tanning and chemical industries.

"While we may consider these industries to be grimy and unsympathetic to the eye they still have their part to play in the history and makeup of the town.

"I have imagined how the quirky mix of colour and pattern used by Ossie Clark in the 60s might be integrated into the shirt manufacturing of Warrington."

Artist Angela Oswald added: "My primary inspiration for this exhibition was the idea of all the rusted metals from the wire industries colouring the landscape.

"Also, I thought of the different images conjured up when thinking of the ingredients from the countryside that were used in the manufacturing of soap – berries for colour, citrus fruits for clean perfumes and seeds for skin cleansing."

Made in Warrington: Steel, Stitch and Soap is at Warrington Museum until February 20.