An audio play about the life of Thomas Helliker is being aired at Trowbridge Museum’s Rich and Rare exhibition charting the region’s historical cloth industry.

Evil Company was made by Trowbridge Players about the teenager who worked at a mill in Semington and was hanged, on March 1803, on his 19th birthday, for his alleged role in machine breaking.

The play was added to the exhibition last month.

Writer Paul Fisher said: "Inspiration for the script came after a visit to Helliker's grave in St James’ churchyard. His tomb is unusual in having two inscriptions, the first written in 1803 and the second over 70 years later.

“The latter records that Thomas Helliker was condemned for an offence against the law, of which he was afterwards believed innocent and determined rather to die than give testimony which would have saved his own life, but forfeited the lives of others.”

The museum exhibition, which launched in March and runs until Saturday, August 3, includes a copy of the letter Thomas wrote to his parents before his death.

Clare Lyall, museum curator, said: “We are really proud of the play and want to raise the profile of it as much as possible as this is a great chance for people to hear history brought to life.”

For more information call Trowbridge Museum on 01225 751339.