What's On at local galleries and exhibitions

ASTLEY CHEETHAM ART GALLERY, Trinity Street, Stalybridge. Open Mon to Fri (not Thurs) 1pm to 7.30pm, Sat 9am to 4pm. Tel 0161 338 2708.

ASTLEY HALL MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Astley Park, Chorley. Open Tues to Sun, noon to 5pm. Adm free for Chorley residents with proof of address, adults £2.90, concs £1.90, family ticket £7 (up to two adults and two children under 16). Ring 01257 515555.

ATKINSON ART GALLERY, Southport. Open Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri from 10.00 to 5pm, Thurs and Sat from 10.00 to 1pm. Sundays and Bank Holidays closed. Ring 0151 934 2110.

BETTER WORLD SPACE, St James's Building, Oxford Street, Manchester. Ring 0161 247 1900.

BLACKBURN MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Blackburn. Until September 16, Made In India, handmade toys and domestic objects made from recycled materials. Free activities and events, half day workshops for children aged six to 12. Booking essential. Also, until September 30, The Never Ending Story - Astrid Greenberry. Large scale photographic works and recent sculptural work by Astrid Greenberry. Familiar stories, urban and ancient myths. A mummy takes centre stage in a new room showcasing many objects not seen by the public for more than 25 years. Ring 01254 667130.

BLYTH GALLERY, Amazon house, Brazil Street, Manchester. To Sat 23rd Sept, Peter Oakley, the Warrington-based artists's paintings and prints. Open Mon to Fri from 10-5pm and Sat 11-3pm, closed Sun and Bank Holidays. Free admission. Ring 0161 236 1004.

BOLTON MUSEUM, ART GALLERY AND AQUARIUM, Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. To September 16, Jurassic, an exhibition inviting you to journey back 200 million years to a time when dinosaurs ruled the planet. Also, Roots of the Future, a photographic exhibition celebrating Britain's multi-cultural past, present and future. Also, an exhibition: Contemporary Ceramics, runs until November 25, examines the oriental and early English influences of contemporary ceramics. Open Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm, closed Suns and Bank Holidays. Ring Bolton 332190.

BOTANIC GARDEN MUSEUM, Southport. Ring 01704 227547.

BREWERY ARTS CENTRE, Highgate, Kendal. Stitch x three. An exhibition of textile work in the restaurant by artists Helen McKenna, Pat Crellin and Val Rich. Runs until October 29. Also, in the foyer, Kendal Windows on Art. Runs until September 30. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 8.30pm and Sunday 11am to 8.30pm. Ring 01539 725133.

BRONTE PARSONAGE MUSEUM, Haworth. New archive featuring personal responses to the Brontes lives and works by some of the famous people who have been inspired by them, now on display and includes Sir Cliff Richard, Mark Curry and Jane Horrocks. The exhibition also features the coat worn by Sir Cliff Richard as Heathcliff in his 1996 rock musical, a unique album of photographs and stills from the 1920 silent film of Wuthering Heights. The Brontes at West lane Baptist Church, Howarth on 6 Oct at 7.00pm. Museum open seven days a week, 10am to 5.30pm, entry adults £4.50, concessions £3.30, children (5-16) £1.40, family ticket £10. Ring 01535 642323.

BURY ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM, Moss Street, Bury. To October 7, JMW Turner, The Origins of Genius. Turner's oil painting Calais Sands is one of the highlights of Bury's collection. This exhibition brings together a broad selection of Turner's watercolours from North-west galleries. Museum and art gallery open Tues to Sat 10am to 5pm. Ring 0161 253 5878.

BUXTON MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Open Tues to Fri, 9.30am to 5.30pm and Sat, 9.30am to 5pm, Sun 10.30 to 5.00 (only till the end of September). Ring 01298 24658.

CASTLEFIELD GALLERY, Campfield Avenue Arcade, Liverpool Road/Deansgate, Manchester. Tues to Sun noon to 5pm. Ring 0161 832 8034.

CHAPMAN GALLERY, Chapman Building, University of Salford, University Road, Salford. Mon to Fri 10am to 5pm. Adm free. Ring 0161 295 5241.

CHARACTERS ART GALLERY, St George's Craft Shops, St George's Road, Bolton. Open Tues to Sat, 10am to 5pm. Adm free. Ring 521302.

CHINESE ART CENTRE, Edge Street, Manchester. Mon to Fri 10.30am to 4.30pm. Ring 0161 832 7280.

CLITHEROE CASTLE MUSEUM, Castle Hill, Clitheroe. Ring 01200 424568.

COLIN JELLICOE GALLERY, Portland Street, Manchester. 36th Winter Exhibition. 37th Summer Exhibition mixed work from Giovanni Simione and Flo Brady. Runs until October 28. Open Tues to Fri from 11.00 to 5pm and Sat from 1.00 to 5pm. Ring 0161 236 2716.

CORNERHOUSE, Oxford Street, Manchester. Cinerama by Isaac Julien and Javier de Frutos. A three gallery exhibition comprising of two video installations and photographs showing The Long Road To Mazatlan and Vagabondia. Runs until September 17. Also, to Monday October 24, Jackson Jackson presents a series of eight collaborative portraits of artists based in the North West. Open Mon to Fri from 12.00 to 8pm. Ring 0161 228 7621.

CUBE, Portland Street, Manchester. Tues to Fri, noon to 5.30pm, Sat and Sun noon to 4pm. Ring 0161 237 5525.

EXECUTIVE BUSINESS CHANNEL LTD, The Edgar Wood Building, Daisy Bank Road, Manchester. Open Tues, Wed and Thurs 2.00 to 5pm. Ring 0161 248 3500.

FLEETWOOD MUSEUM, Queen's Terrace, Fleetwood. Open Mon, Thurs, Sat and Sun from 2pm to 5pm, Tues, Wed and Fri from 11am to 5pm. (Wed only open till the end of September). Ring 01253 876621.

GALLERY OF COSTUME, Wilmslow Road, Platt Hall, Platt Fields, Rusholme, Manchester. A Suit of Her Own: A History of the Working Woman's Wardrobe. A fascinating look at the development of the working woman's wardrobe in a bid to achieve equality in the workplace. Open daily 10am to 5.30pm. Ring 0161 224 5217.

GENERATION X, New Wakefield Street, Manchester. Mon to Thurs 11am to 11pm, Fri and Sat 11am to 2am, Sun noon to 10.30pm. Ring 0161 236 4899.

GREEN ROOM, Cafe Bar and Foyer areas, Whitworth Street West, Manchester. Contact venue for full details. Ring 0161 950 5900.

Hall i'th' Wood, Green Way, off Crompton Way, Bolton. Part-timbered late medieval merchant's house dating from 1530 to 1648. Hall has 17th and 18th century furniture and other historical items. April to September, Tues to Sat 11am to 5pm, Sun 2pm to 5pm, closed Mon except Bank Holidays. Adm adults £3, concs £1.50. Joint visit to Hall i'th' Wood and Smithills Hall adults £5, concs £2.50. Ring Bolton 301159.

HARRIS MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Market Square, Preston. The Harris Museum Project 7 featuring work by Simon Starling and signalling a return to the crafted and the hand made using manual and mechanical processes. Also, until January 2001, English Watercolours featuring work by John Sell Cotman, Paul Nash, John Piper, Thomas Rowlandson, John Ruskin, Paul Sandby, Graham Sutherland and JMW Turner. Also, Costume for Celebration featuring a selection of ball gowns, fancy dress, party frocks and weddings dresses from the 19th and 20th centuries. Runs until October 14. Also, Buildingcraft, a collaboration of work by architects and urban designers. Runs until September 16. Also, The Permanent Collection featuring paintings and sculptures such as Pauline in the Yellow Dress by Sir James Gunn, Dorette by Gerald Brockhurst and works by the Devis family, The White Piano by Arthur Melville and Hesperia by Frank Dicksee. Ring 01772 258248. Open Mon to Sat from 10am to 5pm. Adm free.

Heaton HALL, Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Manchester. The Gadget King: The Drawings of Heath Robinson. Heath Robinson became known as the gadget king and this exhibition features works from all stages of his career. Runs until October 29. Open Wed to Sun 10am to 5.30pm. Ring 0161 773 1231.

HENRY DONN GALLERY, Bury New Road, Whitefield, Manchester. Mon to Sat 9.30am to 5pm, closed 1pm to 2pm. Ring 0161 766 8819.

HOLDEN GALLERY, Cavendish Street, Manchester. Open Mon to Fri, 9.30am to 5pm.

Horwich HERITAGE CENTRE, Resource Centre, Longworth Road, Horwich. Specific aspects of Horwich life over the last 100 years through videos, displays, artefacts and exhibits. Adm is free, open Sat 10am to noon and the second Tues in every month from 7.30pm to 9pm, other times available by appointment only. Ring Bolton 847797 or 693462.

HUYTON GALLERY, Civic Way, Huyton, Merseyside. To September 24. Objects of Desire by Lois Blackburn. Ring 0151 443 5619.

IRLAM HERITAGE UNIT, Irlam Library, Hurst Fold, Liverpool Road, Irlam. The Irlam and Cadishead Local History Society present a special exhibition to mark the new millennium. Also, If music be the Food of Love. Photographs and displays and musical memorabilia from the Irlam and Cadishead Local History Society. Open Mon 9.30am to 5pm, Tues, Thurs and Fri 9.30am to 5.30pm (closed for lunch 12.30pm to 1.30pm), Wed 9.30am to 1pm and Sat 9am to 1pm. Ring 0161 775 3566.

JOHN RYLANDS UNIVERSITY LIBRARY, Deansgate, Manchester. A Scholars' Paradise. A comprehensive presentation of political reform, literature, warfare, natural history and science and medicine. Runs until November 3. Mon to Fri 10am to 5.30pm, Sat 10am to 1pm. Ring 0161 834 5343.

G-MEX CENTRE, Manchester. Open Mon to Thurs from 11.00 to 12 midnight, Fri and Sat from 11.00 to 2.00pm and Sun from 11.00 to 10.30pm. Ring 0161 834 2700.

THE GALLERY, MANCHESTER'S ART HOUSE, Portland Street, Manchester. Mon to Fri 10am to 5pm, except Thurs 10am to 7pm, Sat 10am to 4pm. Ring 0161 237 3551.

KIOSK PHOTOGRAPHERS GALLERY, Smithfield Buildings, Tib Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester. Tues to Sat 10am to 6pm. Ring 0161 833 3300.

KIRKBY GALLERY, Newtown Gardens, Kirkby, Merseyside. Ring 0151 443 5619.

LAKELAND MOTOR MUSEUM, Holker Hall and Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel, Grange-Over-Sands, South Lakeland, Cumbria. A nostalgic reminder of transport with displays of vintage vehicles, classic and curious cars, authentic automobilia, bygone bicycles, scooters, tractors, Campbell collections, motorbikes, micro cars and horticultural heirlooms. Open until October 31, Sunday to Friday (closed Saturdays) 10.0 0am-4.45pm. Ring 015395 58509.

LANCASTER UNIVERSITY. Open Monday to Friday 11am to 4pm.

THE LOWRY, Harbour City, Salford Quays. Artworks. Exhibitions: To January 1, Salford Revisited, photographs by Shirley Taylor; Ordsall A-Z; Out of Place: Memory, imagination &the city. To January 3, Lowry's Places. Ten Minute Talks, 2.45 and 6.45pm everyday (when galleries are open) Free; Family Gallery Activity, Playhouse (every Sat) from 11-1pm, the cost is £2 per child. Please book in advance. Up to 15th Sept, open Mon to Wed 11am-5pm. Thurs, Sat and Sun 11am to 8pm and Fri 11am-10.00pm. From 16th Sept Sun to Wed from 11-5.00pm, Thurs-Sat from 11-8.00pm. Ring 0161 876 2000.

LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS REGIMENTAL MUSEUM, Lancashire Headquarters, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Wellington Barracks, Bury. Open Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun. Adm 50p for adults and 25p for children and OAPs.

MANCHESTER CRAFT AND DESIGN CENTRE, Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester. Mon to Sat 10am to 5.30pm. Ring 0161 832 4274.

MANCHESTER JEWISH MUSEUM, Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester. The Century Saved, an exhibition of Manchester's Jewish History 1900-1999. Mon to Thurs to 4pm Sun 10.30am to 5pm. Tickets £3.25, concs £2.50, family ticket £8. "The Century Saved" is the latest temporary exhibition and tells the story of Manchester's Jewish community during the 20th century. Bookings and details 0161 834 9879.

MANCHESTER'S ART HOUSE, Portland Street, Manchester. Specialising in British Contemporary Art including ceramics, furniture, jewellery, paintings, sculpture and textiles. Open Mon to Fri (not Thurs) 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-6pm and Sat 10am-4pm. Ring 0161 237 3551.

MANTO, Canal Street, Manchester. Taking The Proverbial by John Adams.

MATHEW STREET GALLERY, Mathew Street, Liverpool. Open Mon to Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 11am-4pm. Ring 0151 236 0009.

MERSEYSIDE MARITIME MUSEUM, Liverpool. Cube Teapots by Robert Johnson. An exhibition charting the rise and fall of this patented teapot. Runs until November 5. Open daily from 10am-5pm. Ring 0151 478 4499.

THE MET ARTS CENTRE, Market Street, Bury. Painting and sculpture by Scott Tetlow, Simon Tetlow and Ben Argyle. Also, In Performance, a one man photographic exhibition by Ian McAnulty. Exhibition in The Met foyer. Adm free.

MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL LIFE, Liverpool. Ring 0151 207 0001.

MID PENNINE GALLERY, Yorke Street, Burnley. Ring 01282 421986. Shadow Chasers by Andrew Seddon. A powerful collection of images revolving around Middlewood Asylum, a large and derelict Victorian hospital on the outskirts of Sheffield. Runs until September 16. Also, Jewellery by Sally MacIntyre and Justine Strong. Contemporary craft and theatrical jewellery and headwear. Also, Photography by Amanda Fyfe. A collection of two and three dimensional constructed images. Also, Making Folk. Folk singer Mary Keith and local school pupils create words and music for new folk songs based on the lives of canal people. Runs from September 11 to September 19. Open Mon to Sat from 10am to 5pm, except Tues, closes 1pm.

MILLYARD GALLERY, Alexandra Craft Centre, Uppermill, Oldham. Tues to Sun 10am to 5pm. Ring 01457 870410.

MUSEUM OF THE LANCASHIRE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, Helmshore Textile Museums, Rossendale includes Higher Mill and Whitaker's Mill and Queen Street Mill, Burnley. For Helmshore ring 01706 226459 and for Queen Street Mill ring 01282 412555.

MUSEUM OF LANCASHIRE, Preston. Open Mon to Sat from 10.30 to 5pm. Ring 01772 264061.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester. The museum is open from 10am-5pm every day. For more details ring 0161 832 2244.

THE MUSEUM OF HATTING, Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, Stockport. Ring 0161 355 7770. Stunning display of hats through the centuries featuring top hats, baseball caps and some of the hottest contemporary fashions. Open Mon to Sat 10am-5pm and Sun from 11am to 5pm. Adm charges are adults £3.95, children, £2.50 or family tickets £11.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY, FILM AND TELEVISION, Bradford, West Yorkshire. The Art of Star Wars. Over 200 original objects including models such as Darth Vader's Imperial Star Destroyer and The Millennium Falcon, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader and Queen Amidala costumes and concept designs from the archive of Lucasfilm showing the artistic process behind the making of the films. Visitors can also explore key aspects of the production process on a journey through a series of displays and see how original ideas for the films and their characters were developed from script to screen. Other attractions include drawings of Jar Jar Binks, Yoda and a replica animatronic created head of the character Ree Yees, models of the droids C=-3PO and R2-D2 and a mysterious chamber of atmospheric sound and light effects revealing the character of Darth Vader. Runs from 13 October to April 29 2001. Tickets £6 for adults, £4.50 for concessions. Book by ringing 01274 202030. Open Tuesday to Sunday (plus Bank Holidays and Monday during school holidays) 10am to 6pm.

NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM, Leeman Road, York. Until September 24. Scenic Paintings - Murals From A Great Canadian Train. Open from 10am to 6pm. Ring 01904 621261.

NORTON PRIORY MUSEUM AND GARDENS, Runcorn. Open Mon to Fri noon to 5pm, Sat, Sun and Bank Holidays, noon to 6pm. Ring 01928 569895.

THE OBSERVER GALLERY, Rawbottom Square, Off Wallgate, Wigan. Mon to Sat 9.30am-5.30pm. Ring 01942 233022.

OLDHAM ART GALLERY, Union Street, Oldham. Tues 10am-1pm, Wed to Sat 10am-5pm.

OPIES MUSEUM OF MEMORIES, Wigan Pier. Ring 01942 323666.

ORDSALL HALL MUSEUM, Ordsall Lane, Ordsall. Open Doors. Look through the keyhole at Ordsall Hall and learn about the Tudors. Ring 0161 872 0251.

THE OX, Liverpool Road, Castlefield. Mon to Thurs 11am-11pm, Fri and Sat 11am to midnight. Ring 0161 839 7740.

PANKHURST CENTRE, Nelson Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. Mon to Fri 10am to 4pm. Ring 0161 273 5673.

PHILIPS CONTEMPORARY ART, Little Lever Street, Manchester. A new gallery for local art enthusiasts. The gallery focuses on presenting the work of young, contemporary British artists. Also, Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Tues/Thurs noon to 4pm, Sat 1pm to 4pm, or by appointment. Ring 0161 282 0318.

PHILHARMONIC HALL, Liverpool. Open Mon to Sat, 10am-5.30pm. Ring 0151 709 3789.

PLATT HALL, Platt Fields, Rusholme, Manchester. Daily 10am-4pm. Ring 0161 224 5217.

PORTICO LIBRARY AND GALLERY, Mosley Street, Manchester. Craft, a collection and sale of crafts representing makers from the North-west. Also, display of books from the library's and private collections. Also, The Manchester Academy of Fine Arts present a collection of works from a variety of artists, painters and sculptors. Runs to Thursday September 28. Open Mon to Fri, 9.30am-4.30pm.

PUMPHOUSE PEOPLE'S HISTORY MUSEUM, Left Bank, Bridge Street, Manchester. To Sun Oct 1, travel back in time and find out about the history of "Every Street" in Manchester by visiting the new exhibition. Manchester-based artist Bill Longshaw has collected the memories of more than 60 people who lived in Every Street in Ancoats. Open Tues to Sun, 11am-4.30pm, closed Mons, except Bank Holidays. Ring 0161 839 6061.

QUARRY BANK MILL TRUST LTD, Styal, Cheshire. Explore one of the largest historic working cotton mills. Contact venue for Adm prices. Open Tues to Sun 11am-5pm.

RICHARD GOODALL GALLERY, Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 6pm. All works are for sale. Ring 0161 832 3435.

RIGHTON GALLERY, Cavendish Street, Manchester. Open Mon to Fri from 9.30am-5pm.

ROCHDALE ART GALLERY, The Esplanade, Rochdale. Tues to Sat 10am- 4.30pm. Ring 01706 342154.

ROSSENDALE Museum, Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall. Robert Ashley and All That Jazz. An exhibition featuring the Blues and portraits of musicians such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Eric Clapton. Also, Encaustic Art by James Hargreaves. Demonstrations and workshops of this unusual painting technique. Open Monday to Friday, 1pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12 noon-5pm, (from November Sun will be 12-4pm). Ring 01706 226509.

ROYAL ARMOURIES MUSEUM, Armouries Drive, Leeds. Open from 10.30am-5.30pm every day for the summer season. Ring 0990 106666.

SADDLEWORTH MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, High Street, Uppermill, Oldham. Mon to Sat from 10-5pm and Sun from 12-5pm (end of October the opening hours wil be 1-4pm 7 days a week). Ring 01457 874 093.

SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford. Mon to Fri 10am to 4.45pm, Sat and Sun 1pm-5pm. Ring 0161 736 2649.

SALLY BROWN STUDIO AND GALLERY, Marple Bridge, Stockport. Open Thurs to Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon to 4pm. Ring 0161 427 2654.

SAMLESBURY HALL, Preston New Road, Preston. Open every day except Mon 11am- 4.30pm. Ring 01254 812010. Adm for adults is £2.50 and children under 16 £1.

SANDBAR, Grosvenor Street, Manchester. Paintings by Claire Carpenter, until Sunday October 15. Mon to Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 5pm- 10.30pm. Ring 0161 273 1552/3141.

SLUG AND LETTUCE, Canal Street, Manchester. Open Mon to Thurs from 11-11pm and Fri from 11-2am. Ring 0161 228 1360.

SMITHILLS HALL, off Smithills Dean Road, Bolton. A Lancashire manor house. Guided tours available. Open Tues-Sat from 11-5pm,Sun 2-5pm (last enry at 4.25pm) and bank holidays. Adm adults £3, concs £1.50. Joint visit to Smithills Hall and Hall i'th' Wood adults £5 and concs £2.50. Ring Bolton 332377.

STOCKPORT ART GALLERY, Wellington Road South, Stockport. Mon to Fri 11am to 5pm, (closed Wed), Sat 10am-5pm, closed Sun. Ring 0161 474 4453.

SWINTON LIBRARY ART GALLERY, Chorley Road, Swinton. Autumn Colours. The artists of Eccles Studio Club exhibit a stunning range of paintings with styles and themes about Autumn. Open Monday 9.30am to 7.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

THE WORLD OF GLASS, Chalon Way East, St Helens. Runs until November 3. Millennium Bugs featuring art work of humorous responses and visualisations of the Millennium Bug. Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Ring 08707 444 777.

TURNPIKE GALLERY, Civic Square, Leigh. To September 30, exhibition, Mind Breaths, by Manchester-based artist Rebecca Sitar. Sitar has exhibited widely in the UK. Open Mon, Thurs, Fri from 9.30 to 5.30, Tues from 10 to 5.30, Wed from 9.30 to 5pm and Sat from 10 to 3pm. For more details ring 01942 404469.