FAMILIES visiting Helmshore Mills Textile Museum will get a taste of Victorian discipline and morals when they find out what life was like for their ancestors.

The museum is waiving its usual admission fee this weekend as part of Lancashire County Council's Family Learning Weekend.

A schoolmistress will give visitors an old-fashioned lesson when they visit her classroom as part of the weekend's activities.

There will also be instructions on the proper washing and laundering of sheets, pillowcases and undergarments with the laundry mistress.

Other activities will include Victorian toys to play with and demonstrations of the mill's spinning mules, waterwheel and the power loom.

Alison Dickinson, Northern Family Learning manager for Family Learning Weekend said: "Family Learning Weekend gives people the chance to spend time as a family having some fun with learning.

"People are naturally curious, and through Family Learning Weekend activities we hope you will stimulate your curiosity and re-awaken a love of learning."

There are many other activities on offer in dozens of locations and details can be found by looking at the website www.familylearn- ingweekend.com or telephoning 0800 100 900 to find out more.

The opportunity to step back into Victorian times will be free to all visitors to the mill on Saturday and Sunday and activities will be taking place from 12pm onwards.