THE Weavers' Triangle has been part of the fabric of Burnley for more than a century.

Its cluster of industrial buildings mushroomed in the second half of the 19th century, hugging the Leeds Liverpool canal.

For the waterway was a lifeline for the weaving sheds which were built along its bank, it provided the necessary fuel for the steam engines, as well as a means for transporting cotton in and cloth out.

It was during the late 1800s that Burnley developed into the most important cotton weaving town in the world, and the triangle officially became part of the town in 1894.

Despite the decline of cotton, many of its buildings were protected and their regeneration has taken many decades. It was 40 years ago, in 1977, when the Burnley Industrial Museum Action Committee was formed in a bid to preserve such an important link with the industrial past.

The first step was the opening of the toll house museum at the old wharf at Manchester Road and this image from the Telegraph's archives, shows a group of people, who donned period dress for the occasion, carried out by author and broadcaster Brian Redhead.

From the left are Jean Walton, Isabella Shaw, Hilda Whitehouse, Susan Tongue and Colin Whelan.