Much of the city's wealth was developed from the slave trade

Breaking the Chains opens in February at the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum and will run for two years.

It is among a number of events taking place to mark the bicentenary of the Abolition of Slave Trade Act in 1807.

The exhibition will explain how much of Bristol's wealth developed out of the slave trade and look at the campaigns fought to end the practice.

Close ties

Adrian Tinniswood, South West Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: "This exhibition will give local people and visitors a real insight to Bristol's close ties with the slave trade that had such a big impact on the city economically and socially.

"Reminders of slavery can be seen today in Bristol's buildings, street names and traditions, and the exhibition will unveil what was a key period in the city's past for everyone to learn about."

The exhibition will be supported by a programme of educational and community events.

It will also focus on how forms of slavery continue in the present day.