WALKING into the cotton mill on Mather Lane in Leigh gives you a taste of the town’s industrial history.

The 19th Century Grade II listed building is home to a group that allows creative bloods to flow through a range of old and new technologies.

Leigh Hackspace, which was set up at a Market Street shop in 2015, moved into the mill a year later.

People can learn a range of skills such as developing photographs, computer coding, woodwork, knitting and pottery.

Its popularity has increased with its membership more than trebling from 20 members to around 70.

Director Tom Dalton: “A lot of people who come here say they did not know somewhere like this existed in the area which is great to hear.

“Leigh is probably the only town in the UK that has a space like this and we are really proud of that.

“There is something for everybody- a mixture of old and new technology.”

The group is set to take part at Makefest 2018, a festival at the Museum of Science and industry in Manchester on May 26 and 27.

Fellow director Paul Williams said: “There is a perception that a lot of the work we do is computer-based but that is not true.

“We get people who don’t even use our computers and do some of the other creative activities instead.

“They also come to chat about their projects with like-minded people as well as enjoying the social interaction.”

The group is set to move into the Leigh Spinners Mill Complex later this year where they will have a 10,000 square feet space- more than double what they currently have.

Director Brian Balmer said: “This place has been great for us but we have now outgrown it and are looking forward to keep building on helping the Leigh community.”

The group is also committed to helping the younger generation.

Jay Patel, 11, who attends the group's computer coding sessions, added: “It is fun to work on computers and I have learnt that there is always a way to find a solution to a problem."

The standard membership charge for Leigh Hackspace is £20 a month.

For more information about the group visit leighhack.org.