NEWTOWN Textile Museum is officially open for the summer.

The summer opening was performed by Newtown Mayor Cllr Sue Newham and included a new top floor exhibition.

Following a grant from The Ashley Family Foundation the top floor of the museum has a completely new look.

Visitors will be able to visit a Victorian Drapers Shop and a Clog Makers shop that existed in the town in the 19th century.

Janet Lewis, the Chair of the museum committee thanked the Mayor for attending and the volunteers led by the curator, Stephanie Kemp, for their efforts in transforming the museum over the winter months.

The museum is now a major attraction in the town.

A place to learn about the history of our town, and for visitors to learn about hand spinning and weaving- and to have a go themselves at regular demonstration Saturdays.

The block which houses the Museum was built in the 1830s as a hand-loom weaving factory, the looms occupying the third and fourth floor above three pairs of back-to-back cottages on the lower floors.

Newtown's development into a centre of industry is described through exhibits in the former cottages, while on the upper floors the story of fleece to flannel is illustrated by looms and spinning wheels, alongside displays of related industries and influential local people such as Pryce Jones.

The museum will now be open every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12 noon to 4pm and every Saturday and Bank Holiday from 10.30am to 4pm.