THE INDUSTRIAL heritage of a busy canal was celebrated as a new museum opened its doors.

Wantage Silver Band played more than 40 guests into the Sack House Museum, in the Wharf, Mill Street, Wantage.

Mayor of Wantage Fiona Roper said: “It was very good. It is a little gem of the industrial heritage from Wantage.

“It is nice to have another small museum open. It is all being done by volunteers and they have done a really great job.

“The day was really good.

“We had some bubbly and went in small groups to look around the museum.”

She added: “It was a great atmosphere.”

The museum building was restored by volunteers and members of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust.

Branch chairman Brian Stovold said: “It went really well despite the rain.”

Visitors can visit the museum, every first and third Wednesday and Saturday of the month. Admission is free The museum features information and exhibits about the history of the wharf, the Wantage Tramway and the mill.

The building it is housed in dates back to 1810.