THE extraordinary life of Annie Barlow ­— Bolton's very own Indiana Jones ­— will be uncovered in a new documentary.

People will able to follow in the footsteps of the mill owner's daughter who helped found the town's internationally renowned Egyptian collection.

‘The Victorian Queens of Ancient Egypt’ will explore life and her invaluable contribution to the modern-day success of Bolton Museum.

History experts from from the museum were interviewed as part of the programme, which will air on BBC Radio 3 at 6.45pm on Sunday.

The philanthropist, whose family established the Barlow and Jones mill company, was heavily involved with the Egypt Exploration Society. Fundraising for excavations, and visiting the North African country in 1888, she donated many of her discoveries to the Chadwick Museum, the Victorian forerunner of Bolton Museum.

Today these artefacts can be seen as part of Bolton’s Egypt, which also features a full-scale recreation of the tomb of Thutmose III.

The BBC show will also highlight the work of Annie’s northern contemporaries Amelia Oldroyd and Marianne Brocklehurst.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture and Sport, Cllr John Byrne, said: “The Bolton’s Egypt exhibition is a real success story which is enjoyed by visitors of all ages.

“We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to pioneers like Annie Barlow for building a strong link between Bolton and the Egypt Exploration Society and bringing the fascinating history of ancient Egypt to a wide audience.

“Bolton’s collection of Egyptian artefacts is among the UK’s best and this is yet another example of our fantastic museum getting the national recognition it deserves.”