TIVERTON Museum’s latest exhibition – a look at Mid Devon during times of war – has been officially unveiled.

The new temporary exhibition ‘Mid Devon at War’ was opened last week with representatives from Devon County Council, Mid Devon District Council and Tiverton Town Council present.

Museum director Pippa Griffith said: “Every part of England saw much change during times of war – and Mid Devon was no exception.

“More women entered the workforce, local industries such as Heathcoats and Coldharbour Mill contributed to the war effort, and food shortages occurred with the result that the unused part of Tiverton Cemetery was used to grow potatoes.

“Mid Devon also welcomed many new people to the area with soldiers being billeted in locations around Tiverton, including the Drill Hall and the Electric Theatre.

“The officers were more comfortably housed in Tiverton Castle and the Angel Hotel.

“Devon was one of the first places outside of London to provide shelter for Belgian refugees fleeing the war and many were housed locally.”

The exhibition is the first of the museum’s events marking the centenary of the start of the First World War.

Tiverton Museum has already worked with the BBC and contributed to two of the World War One at Home programmes.

The exhibition will run until September 9.

Entry is £1 for adults and free for accompanying children.