THE award-winning Lion Salt Works Museum is hosting a First World exhibition featuring objects loaned by Northwich residents.

On Saturday, July 2, the museum will open an exhibition called ‘From Salt to the Somme’.

The exhibition is based on stories, documents, photos and objects shared by residents of Marston, Northwich and Cheshire at January’s First World War Roadshow.

It recreates the human story behind what life was like for local people at the battlefront and for those who remained behind.

‘From Salt to the Somme’ features a mock-up of a life-sized trench and weapons and battlefield finds from the Somme.

It will run until November 18 and is subject to the museum’s normal entry charges.

The roadshow and exhibition were designed by Nigel Meyrick, North West winner of the Marsh Trust Volunteer Award, in conjunction with volunteers and staff.

Nigel said: “The opening of this exhibition, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, is a tribute to the people of Marston, Northwich and Cheshire and their contribution to the Great War.

“We are enormously grateful to the descendants of people who shared the personal items, diaries, keepsakes, letters and stories of those who fought in or lived and worked through the war at home.

“The items brought to our roadshow were fascinating and were recorded for posterity. We are delighted so many residents have gone on to loan us items for this exhibition.”

‘From Salt to the Somme’ features a mock-up of a trench with First World War weapons including rifles, a Vickers machine gun, bayonets, grenades and mortars.

The soldiers whose items were brought into the roadshow have been researched and their medals, photographs, diaries and trench art will be on display.

Councillor Louise Gittins said: “We are indebted to Nigel Meyrick and his team of volunteers for the huge amount of work that has gone into bringing together this exhibition.

“Without them, these items would never have been recorded and brought together for public viewing.

“‘From Salt to the Somme’ is a fascinating, humbling and probably unrepeatable insight into the lives of people living in Marston, Northwich and Cheshire a hundred years ago.”