LADIES and gentlemen, please take your seats.

That certainly won't be a problem for visitors to Gosport Museum after an exhibition featuring chairs dating from 1780 was unveiled.

In all, 28 chairs representing a mix of furniture styles throughout the centuries are on display at the Walpole Road museum, including a one-legged milking stool and the latest design in office chairs.

A Gosport Museum spokes-man said: "Chairs are an important part of the environment that we create for ourselves at home and at work.

"This fascinating exhibition shows how the design of chairs reflects their use as well as changing fashions."

The Chair for all Reasons exhibition is part of a number of collections owned by Hampshire County Council museums service and will be at the museum gallery until July 20.