AN exhibit looking back at the proud industrial heritage of Millom has drawn high praise as it opened its doors for the first time.

On Saturday the Millom Discovery Centre in Station Road held a grand opening for its latest attraction – a purpose-built rail room.

The exhibit looks back at the foundation of the town as an industrial hub, and the vital role the area's rail links played in ensuring Millom's iron helped build the area.

Mayor of Millom, Doug Wilson said he was proud to have been invited to open the newest addition to the centre.

He said: "I was very pleased that they invited me. The room is a credit to the people who worked so hard to piece it together. It's a terrific exhibit and well worth a visit, I spent a couple of hours there on Saturday morning and there were still things to look at."

The room, which has scale model railways running throughout it, was designed to explore the railway heritage of the area.

Strong links by rail were essential for the town when its iron industry was booming. Thousands of tonnes of iron ore extracted from the Hodbarrow mines was transported to the ironworks, and then out of the town after it had been refined.

Jade Hughes, museum operations manager was pleased to see more than 50 people attend the opening.

She said: "It's gone really well we had a great turn out and it's been a very successful morning."

The rail room, which has received funding from several partners including the county council, has been in the works since July.

Now it is finally complete, the Discovery Centre can now welcome the public and school groups, and educate them on an important piece of local heritage.

Councillor Felicity Wilson, who is the president of the centre said it was vital for younger generations to learn about their shared history.

She said: "It is important that the young understand that Millom was a vital community when the mines and ironworks were operational. It gives children a sense of belonging.

"I congratulate the team who worked on the room, they have put so much energy and thought in to it. Jade has really helped to revitalise the centre, looking at it through younger eyes."

The centre is open seven days a week. Visit www.millomdiscoverycentre.co.uk to find out more.

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