A new exhibition called About Abingdon opens tomorrow and the centrepiece is a 1940s wedding dress made from a pair of net curtains.

It is a classic example of the "make do and mend" philosophy forced on the nation during and after the Second World War and brings back memories for Violet Looker, of Radley Road, Abingdon, who made the dress from the lace curtain material her mother saw advertised in a newspaper.

Mrs Looker, 84, was married in March 1946 to her soldier boyfriend Jack who died five years ago, aged 88. She said: "Certain curtain materials were not on coupons and my mother thought the material ideal for my wedding dress. The material cost 40 shillings and it took me about four months to make the dress before my wedding in March 1946."

The wedding dress is displayed alongside a picture of Mr and Mrs Looker on their wedding day. Mrs Looker donated the dress to the museum two years ago.

She said: "People say I'm like the Queen of Abingdon -- only royalty display their wedding gowns."

The exhibition in Abingdon's museum opens tomorrow and runs until May 20.