The niece of a textile worker has given original mill tools to the company preserving the history of a mill site.

Newmason Properties, which is converting Victoria Mills in Saltaire into an apartment complex, is setting up a mini museum, housing artifacts unearthed during the building process.

Margaret Hopwood, 66, has given a magnifying glass and tweezers used by her aunt, Mary Beety, to the museum, following an appeal for personal recollections of the mending rooms.

The mending rooms are being transformed into two apartments, four town houses and a gym and salon. The brick and stone exterior will be refurbished in keeping with the original features.

Mrs Hopwood said: "I think it's great that Newmason is going to do something for the history of the building. Bradford and Shipley would not have existed without the textile industry."

Mrs Hopwood, who used to visit her aunt at work, has shed light on spirit in the work room.

Mrs Hopwood, of Shipley, said: "People enjoyed the camaraderie. It was intense work but they could chatter.

Miss Beety, who never married, died aged 83 in 2002.

Newmason is adding the tools to the collection, which already includes a cast-iron loom, large wicker baskets, bobbins, paperwork and a 125-year-old urinal.

A pictorial record of the transformation of the mills is also being formed.

Mary-Jo Pearson, head of sales and marketing, said: "We were confident someone would come forward with memories of the mending room, so to have some of the tools and cloth is great.

"We want people to realise that they are of historic importance, both social and human. As well as restoring the fabric of the building we are trying to preserve its spirit which comes from the people who worked there."

e-mail: nishika.patel@bradford.newsquest.co.uk