Hartlepool Borough Council wants to hear from people who worked for Arosa, Cerebos, West Hartlepool Patent Brick Company or the Expanded Metal Company.

A display on local industry is being held at the Museum of Hartlepool and historians are on the lookout for items, photographs or reminiscences relating to these firms.

Naomi Beeley, learning and access officer for the council's heritage and museums service, said: "While shipbuilding obviously played a very big part in the history of the town, we're also keen to focus on other industries as well, including these four well-known businesses.

"With the exception of the Expanded Metal Company, these firms are sadly no longer with us. But we hope that lots of former employees will come forward and share their memories and mementoes with us.

"So if you have any pairs of tights made by Arosa, the odd brick mould from the West Hartlepool Patent Brick Company, photographs from the salt-making days of Cerebos or examples of things made by the Expanded Metal Company, we'd love to hear from you."

Ms Beeley can be contacted on (01429) 523449 from Mondays to Fridays between 9am-5pm or e-mail naomi.beeley@hartlepool.gov.uk.