EAST Lancashire tourist attraction the Helmshore Mills Textile Museum will reopen on Friday September18.

The move is part of a phased reopening of Lancashire County Council’s museums which shut in March when the coronavirus restrictions were introduced.

Clitheroe Castle, Judges’ Lodgings in Lancaster and Gawthorpe Hall in Padiham have already reopened.

Staff at Burnley’s Queen Street Mill in Briercliffe are working to reopen it as soon as it is safe to do so.

Helmshore Mills will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4pm until Saturday 31 October.

The café will not be open. A timed appointment will need to be booked before visiting the museum in line, by calling 01706 226459 or emailing the museum directly

Cllr Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council’s culture boss, said: “I’m delighted that we are now able to announce the reopening of another of our wonderful museums.

“People will need to respect social distancing rules, and to follow any one-way systems that have been set up.”

When visiting a museum, all visitors will be required to wear a face covering unless they are exempt.

People are asked not to visit if they are self-isolating, or showing any signs of Covid-19.

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum consists of two mills, the Higher Mill built in 1789 and Whitaker’s Mill, built in the mid-19th century. Significant exhibits including a full size Hargreaves Spinning Jenny, waterwheel and working looms.