THE HISTORY of a Hampshire community for more than 1,500 years will go on display at a museum - thanks to the local people's efforts.

The Titchfield Tapestries took two years to produce, and they illustrate the history of the village from Saxon times to the millennium.

Now they are due to go on display at Westbury Manor Museum in West Street, Fareham, so that more people can appreciate the rich heritage of a small community, visited by kings and queens through the ages.

Resident Tessa Short, pictured right, who came up with the idea after being inspired by the Bayeux tapestry in France, said everyone in the village had learnt a lot, not only about making tapestries, but also local history.

She said: "Putting them on show will allow more people to know a bit about the history of the area in an interesting and visual way."

The tapestries each illustrate one period in the history of the community, originally called Ticefelda.

That name referred to the goats bred and tanned from ancient times until recently.

The recording of the Domesday book, the wedding of Henry VI and the patronage of the first Earl of Southampton are all illustrated, as well as village characters still alive and well today.

Each of the three-dimensional tapestries was produced by volunteers who came up with interesting ideas for materials, including chopsticks and original Second World War uniform cloth.

The exhibition, which includes documents and artefacts from the village, runs from tomorrow until March 3.

Admission is free.