IT was full steam ahead as Bolton Steam Museum opened its doors for the bank holiday.

Historic engines were on full display at the event for visitors to see them working as they would have done during the height of the industrial revolution.

The museum is usually open on Wednesdays and Sundays, but the engines aren’t normally operating.

John Phillp, secretary at the Bolton Steam Museum, said: “The event has been a great success so far. We hope that around 500 people visit the museum over the Sunday and Monday. We have had a range of people visiting, from around Bolton and other areas.”

The museum houses one of the largest collections of engines in the country, with 30 different rescued and restored stationary steam engines on display.

The engines once powered the cotton and woollen mills of the north.

Mr Phillp added: “There were around 10,000 steam engines and 4,000 mills in Lancashire alone. It’s difficult to imagine how extensive the textile industry was 100 years ago.”

Some of the engines on show include the Twin Beam Engine which is believed to date from about 1840, and the Bennis Westminster Engine, manufactured in Little Hulton and acquired by Fred Dibnah to drive his workshop.

Peter Meridew, who lives in Australia, was visiting the museum with his grandchildren who are from Farnworth. He said: “I think the museum is brilliant. The history here in this area is really interesting.”

The steam museum runs entirely on donations and engines are kept in working order by a group of volunteers.

To run the engines at full steam for the bank holiday weekend it costs around £400.

The next open days are on Sunday and Monday, May 27 and 28. Entry is free but donations are welcome.