<P> In 1912, the British cotton industry was at its peak, producing eight billion yards of cloth . In World War I, cotton couldn't be exported to foreign markets, and some countries built their own factories, particularly Japan . By 1933 Japan introduced 24 - hour cotton production and became the world's largest cotton manufacturer . Demand for British cotton slumped, and during the interwar period 345,000 workers left the industry and 800 mills closed . </P> <P> India's boycott of British cotton products devastated Lancashire, and in Blackburn 74 mills closed in under four years . </P> <P> In World War II, the British cotton industry saw an upturn and an increase in workers, with Lancashire mills being tasked with creating parachutes and uniforms for the war . </P> <P> In the 1950s and' 60s, many workers came from the Indian sub-continent and were encouraged to look for work in Lancashire . An increase in the work force allowed mill owners to introduce third (night) shifts . This resurgence in the textile industry did not last long, and by 1958, Britain had become a net importer of cotton cloth . </P>

• when did cotton first arrive here what was the time line