TREASURED archives including a document dating back to 1150 and a recipe for snail water will be on display on saturday, May 11, as part of Local History Week.

The records, on show at the Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office, in Trowbridge, include wills, deeds, maps, parish records and other interesting and unusual records.

Among the strangest is a recipe for snail water from an early 18th-century recipe and remedy book. The concoction is said to have cured consumption and other wasting diseases. The recipe is made up of crushed baked snails, strong beer, liquorice and herbs.

There are also accounts of how people used to live and even the diet of people living in a Bradford workhouse in the early 1760s, who were employed in carding and spinning wool.

Their diet consisted of bread, cheese and beer and they were only allowed meat twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Principal archivist John d'Arcy said: "We have a wealth of history in Wiltshire. The records we hold give people a fascinating glimpse into the past."

The records will be on display at the record office in the libraries and heritage headquarters at County Hall, Trowbridge, from 10am until 4pm and entrance is free.