It will also include some of her own photographs, many of which capture performers at the Liverpool Playhouse.

A great fan of the theatre and music, both she and Hardman were regular visitors to the Liverpool Playhouse and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

She also enjoyed amateur theatrics and there are several pictures of her in costume. Golf and going to ballet performances were also part of her leisure activities.

Margaret died of cancer at the age of 61 – she didn't tell anyone she felt unwell and it was only discovered at Christmas, 1969, that she had a large tumour, and she died in March, 1970.

Hardman then lived alone and increasingly as a recluse at 59 Rodney Street, until his death in 1988.

Ffion added: “We decided to feature her this season because she was a woman ahead of her time and the 'unsung' hero of the Hardman story, which has been focused up until now on the work of Chambré Hardman himself. We hope that lots of female visitors will come to the exhibition and the items on display may trigger memories of Liverpool in the 40s, 50s and 60s.”

CAMERAS and Camisoles opens on March 17, and runs through until October 31, Wednesday to Sunday, 11am - 3.30pm. Admission to Rodney Street is by timed ticket only, call 0151 709 6261.