A FASHIONABLE new exhibition relives the glory days of a Preston clothing company whose dresses were worn by the Royal family.

The year-long display at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, in Market Square, charts the history of Horrockses Fashions Ltd, a firm set up in Preston in 1791.

Horrockses, who owned mills across Preston, were a leading maker of sheets, towels and nightdresses for around 150 years, but the firm became a household name when it branched out into dresses in 1946.

The new exhibition has been two years in the planning, with dresses donated from museums and members of the public across the country.

Wendy Simpson, of Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood, Preston, worked as a designer for the company for five years, and has donated samples of her work and photographs to the exhibition.

She said: "I was a textile designer. I used to design the fabrics, and the patterns on the dresses and curtains they made.

"After I left school I joined Horrockses as a typist, but I was going to art school at the same time. So they took me on as a designer when they realised I could paint as well."

Horrockses soon became so popular its clothes appeared in films, on television, and were worn by the Queen.

Wendy said: "The dresses were 'the thing' in the 1950s. I have seen designs I created on television several times, on dresses and curtains. It is a very nice feeling."

The exhibition runs from Saturday, October 20 until October 19, next year. For information call 258248.