Historic links between Asian and English design are showcased in a new exhibition at Cliffe Castle.

The Keighley museum is hosting textile-based art by local women who took part in a project funded by English Heritage.

The project, carried out with Bradford Museums and Galleries, aimed to celebrate the area’s rich textile heritage.

The 19 women from Keighley and Bradford learned practical skills while gaining inspiration from existing works.

Helen Keighley, English Heritage outreach officer, said the works were brilliantly woven with intricate and colourful patterns.

She said: “This is the first time we have funded a textiles project of this nature and we have been astonished by the quality of the work produced.” Women took part in taster sessions in Keighley and Manningham before signing up for the project.

They were inspired by visiting rooms at Cliffe Castle Museum finished in the style of Victorian owner Henry Isaac Butterfield.

They quizzed curators at Brodsworth Hall, near Doncaster, on the mansion’s collection of 500 chintzes dating from the 1840s, based on decorative schemes developed from Asian printed floral designs.

Sofia Maskin, from Bradford Museums and Galleries, said: “The feedback has been tremendous.”

“Learning new techniques like embroidery and devore, they have produced very special works of art.”

The 12 new works are on display at Cliffe Castle until December 13.