The stories of the people who made up a textile group were outlined during a local history evening.

Cathryn Walton, secretary of Leek Historical Society, pictured with one of the embroidery displays, led a talk entitled The Ladies of the Leek Embroidery Society at the town's Moorlands House last night.

The talk followed an exhibition in the Nicholson Institute art gallery last year where people from India, New Zealand and the U.S. were among those who visited the exhibition about Leek industrialist Sir Thomas Wardle.

The exhibition marked the centenary of the industrialist's death and was part of a programme of activities funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Last night's talk was also part of the programme.

It focused on the philanthropist's wife Elizabeth Wardle, who was a leading light of the embroidery society.

Local historian Mrs Walton, aged 66, from Leek, said: "There has been lots written about the Leek Embroidery Society but no-one has ever really gone into the people behind it."

Picture: Cara Edgington