ANIMAL Attraction is a new mini-exhibition in the grand space of Bradford Industrial Museum with glass cabinets full of items showing links between local folk and their furry, hairy or feathery friends throughout history.

Aimed at children, there is plenty of taxidermy with stuffed rabbits, squirrels foxes and even a 19th century English bulldog.

One of the first youngsters through the door at Moorside Mills this morning was eight-year-old Abigail Turner from Cleckheaton, who was on a fact-finding mission with her grandma Nancy Crowther.

"I'm in Year Three at Scholes Village Primary School and am doing a project on all things to do with Yorkshire," Abigail said, as she hugged a toy alpaca.

"Alpacas were very important, their wool makes the finest worsted and that's how Titus Salt made his fortune," said former textiles worker Mrs Crowther.

"I've got a dog and two guinea pigs and I think this museum is very interesting and impressive," Abigail said.

Animal Attraction prompts discussions on how animals fitted into city life either as pets, in literature or as work animals such as Tommy the cab horse from Ben Rhydding near Ilkley, whose gravestone is one of the exhibits.

The special exhibition, complete with a"play field" stocked with toy animals, runs until November and admission to the museum is free.