THE Friends of Helmshore Textile Museums will host the 20th grand Christmas craft fair on Sunday.

Money raised at the event will fund work to repair and restore the waterwheel at Higher Mill and complement work due to start in January to make access improvements at the Holcombe Road museum.

Bernard Rostron, chairman of the Friends' group, said: "The Friends of the museum try to offer support to the museum in many ways.

"We recently contributed a large sum to the purchase of the portrait of Sir Richard Arkwright, bought by the museum to accompany the Arkwright water frame, of which the museum is justly proud.

"We are helping to make the museum more accessible, as part of the Heritage Lottery funded work which is due to start in January.

"Without the fair, these contributions would not have been possible.

"The proceeds of Sunday's events have been earmarked for our next project, which is the repair and restoration of the waterwheel at Higher Mill."

This year the craft fair is to be held on the same day as the local farmers' market and organisers are hoping that it will be as popular as ever with more than 50 stalls, a visit by Father Christmas and performances by Haslingden and Helmshore Brass Band, along with face painting, marzipan modelling and craft activities for children.

Bernard added: "This event marks the end of a busy year for the friends and has now become something of a local tradition.

"We hope people will come and enjoy the day with us."

The fair will run from 11am-4.30pm.