ITEMS collected by six generations of the same family have gone on display.

The Old Smithy Museum, at Gunnerside, officially opened earlier this month, the culmination of three years' work by Stephen Calvert, who still works in the traditional forge as well as running the family farm.

Owned by the family since at least 1795, the smithy contains display cases and information boards looking at the history of the blacksmiths' craft in the dale.

There are links to a variety of industries for which tools were fashioned at the forge l, including lead mining, farming and horse-shoeing.

A recreated Dales kitchen displays household goods and another section has toys and games, including examples of knur and spell, a local game played by releasing a spring with a stick and hitting a small ball as far as possible.

"The building has belonged to the family for six generations and was full of items and artefacts which we want people see," said Mr Calvert.

"The forge is still a working space and visitors will be able to watch me when I am working there."

Domestic items made by family members are also on display, including two framed floral tapestries completed by Mary Calvert in 1853 and a patchwork and embroidered quilt made by Margaret Calvert in 1844.

* The Old Smithy Museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 11am to 5pm.