READERS with knowledge of the textile industry were quick to identify last week's mystery object.

It was a fisherman’s knotter, which is used to tie together yarns of material such as cotton, wool or hemp.

Among those with correct guesses was Michael Horner, from Grassington, who works at Linton Yarns Limited, of Keighley.

"If I didn't know this, then I would be in bother," he said, adding that he still used one.

Other correct guesses came from Janice Smith, John Laxton, former textile man Jack Gould and Brenda Wood.

Experts at Craven Museum and Gallery tell us that this particularly knotter was used at Dewhurst's cotton mill in Skipton and is made from a dark green metal with a beige leather handle.

It was manufactured by Mesdan, of Brescia, Italy, which is still in business today.

All items featured in this column can be viewed at the museum, which is run by Craven District Council and is in Skipton Town Hall.

Meanwhile, we are inviting guesses about this week’s mystery object.

Suggestions can be emailed to news@cravenherald.co.uk, to arrive by noon on Monday.