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Louise Horsley (L) and Kay Richardson -visitor assistants from Lotherton with the Bop Peep costume. Although the dress became part of the Leeds Museums and Galleries collection, years of enthusiastic wear and tear by its former owner had sadly taken their toll. But now, thanks to a restoration project supported by The Friends of Leeds City Museums, the newly restored dress will be one of the star exhibits in Fashion at Play, an exhibition opening at Lotherton in the spring exploring the fascinating story of children’s fashions through the ages. Credit David Lindsay

An album of photographs, which will also be on display as part of the exhibition, documents a spectacular children’s fancy dress ball hosted at Leeds Town Hall by the mayor and mayoress of Leeds, Mr and Mrs Alf Cooke on January 12, 1891. Nearly 400 children from well to do families attended, with each child dressed in beautiful costumes depicting everything from fairytale characters to famous figures from history.

An album of photographs, which will also be on display as part of the exhibition, documents a spectacular children’s fancy dress ball hosted at Leeds Town Hall by the mayor and mayoress of Leeds, Mr and Mrs Alf Cooke on January 12, 1891. Nearly 400 children from well to do families attended, with each child dressed in beautiful costumes depicting everything from fairytale characters to famous figures from history.

Although the dress later became part of the Leeds Museums and Galleries collection, years of enthusiastic wear and tear by its former owner had sadly taken their toll. But now, thanks to a restoration project supported by The Friends of Leeds City Museums, the newly restored dress will be one of the star exhibits in Fashion at Play, an exhibition opening at Lotherton in the spring exploring the fascinating story of children’s fashions through the ages. Credit David Lindsay

Although the dress later became part of the Leeds Museums and Galleries collection, years of enthusiastic wear and tear by its former owner had sadly taken their toll. But now, thanks to a restoration project supported by The Friends of Leeds City Museums, the newly restored dress will be one of the star exhibits in Fashion at Play, an exhibition opening at Lotherton in the spring exploring the fascinating story of children’s fashions through the ages. Credit David Lindsay.

Although the dress later became part of the Leeds Museums and Galleries collection, years of enthusiastic wear and tear by its former owner had sadly taken their toll. But now, thanks to a restoration project supported by The Friends of Leeds City Museums, the newly restored dress will be one of the star exhibits in Fashion at Play, an exhibition opening at Lotherton in the spring exploring the fascinating story of children’s fashions through the ages. Credit David Lindsay

A miniature copy of the King James Bible, which made headlines around the world when it was rediscovered during lockdown, is among the books on display, giving visitors a rare chance to see a highly unusual example of the original Christmas story. Little enough to fit in the palm of a hand, and with text so tiny it can only be read with a magnifying glass, the Bible dates from around 1911, and is thought to be one of the smallest examples of its kind anywhere in the world.

A miniature copy of the King James Bible, which made headlines around the world when it was rediscovered during lockdown, is among the books on display, giving visitors a rare chance to see a highly unusual example of the original Christmas story. Little enough to fit in the palm of a hand, and with text so tiny it can only be read with a magnifying glass, the Bible dates from around 1911, and is thought to be one of the smallest examples of its kind anywhere in the world.

Festive cheer: Gipton’s Old Fire Station community hub volunteers Richard Wade and Suzy Flattery, as Santa and his elf at the annual Christmas fair.

Long-term ambassadors Park Square Barristers. Pictured, last year, from left: Emma Southam, far left, and Sadiya Salim of Child Friendly Leeds and Richard Sadler, of Park Square Barristers.

Gift collection at Grammar School at Leeds. Pictured, from left, Rowan Beaumont, of Child Friendly Leeds, and Sophia Harris, of Grammar School at Leeds.