The story of Keighley and its extraordinary people is being told through a new permanent exhibition.

It explores the rich history of the town and its colourful characters and has been financed thanks to a £25,000 handout from the Wolfstan Foundation and the Department of Culture Media and Sport.

The gallery exhibition at Cliffe Castle Museum has taken about 12 months to compile and has been spearheaded by museum staff Daru Rooke and David Sheldon, supported by Keighley historian Ian Dewhirst.

Both Mr Dewhirst's and the museum's huge archives were mined for material to illustrate and tell the story of life in the town in the early years of the 20th century.

At the launch on Saturday, visitors enjoyed tea in the conservatory, were entertained by performers in extinct animal costumes, could explore an interactive dolls house modelled on a piece in the exhibition and by Mr Dewhirst, who gave a taste of what was in store.

One of the photographs from his own collection, taken by his grandfather Amos Dewhirst, of Herbert and Arthur Jarman with their prize winning guinea pigs, was used to front the commemorative invitation card.

The exhibition has hundreds of objects, including a bizarre cradle that belonged to the Henpecked Husbands' Club.

Mr Dewhirst said: "It comes from the 1860s and illustrates how people at that time had to make their own fun.

"Members of the club were challenged to do everything they could to stop their wives' nagging.

"If they failed they were given the cradle to take home and rock to sooth her tongue."

Among other exhibits is the head of the Keighley Jubilee Ox, "Harry Tap's" pewter tankard, the rule book of the Henpecked Husbands' Club, "Bloss" the first ever Airedale terrier and a flag captured from a German battleship. The exhibition has been created through public consultation, with more than 500 people giving their views on the display. And to keep the exhibition alive people are being encouraged to continue to offer up items for show at the special display, called the Keighley Cabinet.