A cotton mill is a factory housing spinning an weaving machinery. Cotton was a leading sector in the Industrial Revolution, as cotton spinning was mechanised in mills. During this time, the success of cotton mills gave birth to Mill towns, which became significant settlements, following the foundation of mills in them. First constructed in England, cotton mills facilitated huge and rapid economic expansion for many parts of Britain, particularly in Lancashire, for example Manchester, Oldham, Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Ashton and Rochdale; and in Stockport, and other towns and cities.