TODAY we wanted to take a look at The Rum Story in Whitehaven.

The attraction explores the rich history of the rum trade in the town hundreds of years ago which can be mainly attributed to the Jefferson family.

The family traded from their premises on Lowther Street for over two centuries making it the oldest family owned wines and spirits merchants in the country. The store remained open until June 1998.

As the shop closed, plans were put in place to turn the building into a tourist attraction that would explore the links Whitehaven had to the rum trade. In May 2000 The Rum Story opened to the public.

Robert Jefferson, who came from Aitkon, near Wigton, founded the business. During his years of trade with Virginia he was described as an honest and respected man.

Whilst they were renowned for their trading of wines and spirits, they were also interested in shipbuilding and railway development.

The Jefferson's ships carried rum, sugar and molasses from the West Indies and Wine from Portugal and Spain.

Most of the sugar imported was from the Yeaman Estate in Antigua, which they owned, it was also where their iconic rum came from.

These photos show what has happened in The Rum Story attraction in the 24 years that it has been open.

We can see Oz Clarke launching a new bottle of rare rum, The Rocky Horror Show being screened as part of the Whitehaven Film Festival, chef Yvonne Gainford at The Rum Story, and the opening of the new shop.

Peter Sidwell launching his new Cumberland sausage, a man from Egremont with his digital art on display, and a Community Wellbeing event at the venue.