VISITORS to Helmshore Mills Textile Museum will be offered a rare opportunity to meet one of the country's leading experts on industrial history during National Mills weekend.

The weekend highlights the often overlooked contribution that industrial sites made to the rich heritage of the country.

Helmshore Museum, along with Burnley's Queen Street Mill, run by Lancashire County Museum Service, are among 100 working mills and 400 mill sites taking part in the celebrations.

Ian Gibson, principal keeper of technology and industrial history for the Lancashire County Museum Service, will be on hand to give hour-long masterclass tours of the mill throughout each afternoon.

Ian has been associated with the museum for more than 30 years.

Reserved places on the tour can be booked by contacting the museum. Entry to the museum on Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9, will be free of charge on both days.