Carlisle Cathedral has opened up a new exhibition that showcases the hidden lives of books from its library.

The 'Hidden Lives of Books' is located in the Fratry Hall and opened on Tuesday, August 11 with plans to keep the exhibition on show until August 24. 

Free to view, with donations encouraged, the event offers a rare opportunity to explore some of the most historic books in the Cathedral's collection.

The display explains how following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Carlisle Cathedral would profit from three benefactors; Canon Arthur Savage in 1691, Lady Anne Preston in 1696, and Bishop Thomas Smith, who donated his entire collection in 1702. 

These three people helped to bring about the Cathedral's rich collection today and the exhibit helps visitors to understand more about the books and their readers, the book trade, and how books were used and exchanged. 

Curated by special collections advisor Edward Potten, the 'never-before-seen' exhibit also explains how while there were booksellers in Cumbria tracked as far back as the 17th century, they were forced to liaise with London printers to get books printed. 

The exhibit also features fun activities for children, such as making a book from paper.