LATER this month is the bicentenary of the abolition of slavery in which Britain played a leading role.

But historically Britain also took part in the transportation of millions of African slaves to America and the Empire.

The links between ports such as Liverpool and Bristol and the slave trade have been well publicised over many years.

But less obvious was how Bolton and the rest of Greater Manchester benefited financially from their historical involvement in the slave trade.

The economic rise of the region during the 18th and 19th centuries is intrinsically linked through cotton with the selling of human beings.

Daniel Smith, curator of local history at Bolton Museum, has set up a small exhibition in the foyer of the museum as part of the Revealing Histories exhibition being staged alongside other galleries around the region.

He said: "We will be showing a series of small artefacts we have come across while doing our research into this subject.

"We look into the links between Bolton and slavery which are mainly through cotton.

"We have a medal dating back to 1834 which celebrates the abolition of slavery.

"The exhibition will also feature some old stereoscopic images showing cotton pickers in 1898 in Georgia, America, showing black people picking cotton with a white overseer in the background - as though nothing had changed since the Civil War.

"But the important exhibit we have is a book by an escaped slave called James Watkins who was born in slavery, lived in servitude and came to live in Bolton for a few years.

"He toured the area and lectured on abolition to local people. We think he might have returned to America after the Civil War."

During the slave trade period, British ships transported an estimated 2.8 million African slaves.

The North-west of England built its new industrialised economy around this trade which boosted the textile industry, which in turn powered the engine of the Industrial Revolution.

Cotton textiles produced in Greater Manchester were in great demand in West Africa and were traded for slaves throughout the 18th century.

By 1770 one third of Manchester textiles were sold to the African market.

Even after Britain abolished the slave trade in 1807 and subsequently slavery in 1834, slave-grown raw cotton was still imported from the United States.

This was produced by black slaves on plantations across the Southern States. While the slave trade involved the purchase and shipment of perhaps 50,000 slaves a year before 1807, American cotton in 1861 was being harvested by up to 2.5 million slaves.

The thriving cotton industry in Greater Manchester influenced the lives of virtually everyone in the area.

The influence spread everywhere either directly through working in the cotton mills, by trading in cotton, indirectly through wearing cotton clothes or working in businesses associated with cotton wealth such as banking.

Several prominent Manchester families owned plantations or were involved directly in slave trading through organising or helping finance slaving voyages.

As a result of dramatic economic growth Liverpool and Manchester were the largest provincial cities in Britain around 1801.

The prosperity of industrial Greater Manchester is still reflected in its environment, through the massive mills and warehouses in which the cotton was produced and stored as well as the museums and galleries built with cotton wealth.

But the morals of the slave trade were being constantly challenged by free thinking individuals and organisations.

The region was also home to a strong and active abolitionist movement. Manchester was at the heart of the anti-slavery movement during its early days.

In 1787, 10,000 people - two thirds of Manchester's male population - signed a petition against the slave trade.

Such was the strength of opposition to the deplorable trade in human beings that when in 1807, 439 mill owners petitioned against the abolition bill ,a counter-petition had received 2,354 names within a few hours.

The abolition of slavery was a key issue in the general election of 1831, following the Great Reform Act, which gave Manchester political representation in Parliament for the first time.

Revealing Histories sees the Bolton Museum and Archive Service join forces with seven museums and galleries across the region to explore and commemorate the lasting legacy of the slave trade.

Emma Walker, chairman of the Revealing Histories marketing group, said: "Revealing Histories takes a fresh look at the collections of these museums and galleries and the buildings they are housed in, revealing hidden histories of the region's involvement in the slave trade.

"The project includes exhibitions, discussion and debate groups, city-wide tours and creative youth partnerships. Public interaction plays an essential role in our year of activity.

"Revealing Histories illustrates the pervasive effect of the slave trade on British life beyond the port cities.

"Understanding the history of the slave trade and its legacies give it a contemporary resonance, and can be used to alter people's perspectives and prejudices."

l Bolton Museum and Archive Service hosts Remembering Slavery from Saturday March 24. Entry is free and the exhibition will be open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm.