REMEMBER trudging down London Road after a hard day's work at Horrockses? Perhaps your parents told you stories about working in the noisy hot mills.

Stories about King Cotton have been brought to life on a new website charting the history of Preston's cotton industry.

The site -- www.followtheyarn.net -- is the first to be set up by the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Market Square, Preston, and tells the history of cotton in the town through a series of time lines dating back to the 1700s.

Visitors to the site can also weave their own design on a virtual loom or become a Victorian journalist reporting on the events of the day.

The website was created by staff at the Harris Museum who worked with teachers to develop ideas in order to ensure it was suitable for visitors and school pupils.

Alexandra Walker, head of arts and heritage at the Harris, said: "We're excited as it is the first time that we have been able to use the museum collections to provide on line education opportunities. We hope as many people as possible will see how the website brings the history of the town to life."

A computer will be set up in the museum giving visitors access to the site. They can then go along and see the Story of Preston, a display about Horrockses with information and artifacts depicting the renowned cotton firm. From its beginnings in 1791 until it closed in 1960 Horrockses, based at the Yard Works, Dale Street, was a major employer in the area.

To find out more about the exhibition or the website call 01772 258248.