Ahead of this year's Cheshire Day celebrations, the county's Archive Service has selected items showing the wide range of products once made in Cheshire.

Taking place on 30 March, Cheshire Day celebrates the county's contributions to history, industry, culture, and everything 'Made in Cheshire'. The date commemorates the day in 1300 when King Edward I granted the county its Charter of Liberties - in effect its own Magna Carta.

Chester, once renowned for its gold and silversmithing, was granted its own Assay Office in 1700.

Before this, local makers had to send their work hundreds of miles for approval - with the nearest place to officially test and hallmark precious metals being Goldsmiths' Hall in London.

The Chester Assay Office changed that, providing a regional centre where gold and silver could be tested, verified, and hallmarked to national standards.

For over 250 years, from 1700 to 1962, the Chester Assay Office served craftspeople across the region, and its distinctive hallmark can still be found on historic silver pieces today.

As for Ellesmere Port, a 1970s advert reveals the town's unexpected role in the UK spice industry.

The late-1970s advert from McCormick Foods highlights the company's plant on Rossmore Road, described at the time as 'Europe's most modern spice processing and packaging facility.'

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Whilst the spices themselves weren't grown locally, they were processed and packed right here in Cheshire before making their way onto shelves across the UK.

As part of one of the world's largest spice companies, the Ellesmere Port site played a key role in producing herbs, spices, and seasoning blends familiar to many kitchen cupboards.

This autumn, the public will be able to discover untold stories of Cheshire's people and places, with the opening of two new Archive Centres in Chester and Crewe.

"Cheshire has such a rich manufacturing tradition," said Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

"It's so fascinating to discover new stories of Cheshire's past, and how our Archive service has been able to collate such a diverse collection of historic images and stories."

As for other Cheshire towns, Winsford, Neston, and Frodsham each had their own local industries and crafts.

Winsford was home to Bryte Wear, a post-war company producing everyday cutlery and household goods. In Neston, Leighton Court supported the First World War effort by converting part of its estate into a small munitions facility. Meanwhile, Frodsham had a long tradition of basket making, with Bibby's works producing potato hampers and other baskets for generations.

Construction of the two new Archive Centres has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity with a focus on research and education.

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