IN 1817 blue-eyed Ann White was considered the loveliest girl in the Rossendale Valley.

But that summer the 23-year-old was murdered at Sunny Field Farm by her husband-to-be, who later hung for his crime at Lancaster Castle.

The grisly tale is just one set to appear in historian Jack Nadin’s latest book, ‘Lancashire’s Grim Almanac’.

The story goes that Ann, favourite of her father Wiliam White, was betrothed to her childhood sweetheart John Nuttall, who lived at the neighbouring farm three fields away at Harrow Stiles.

However, the finger of scorn was pointed at Ann when it was discovered that she ‘was to be a mother before she was to be a wife’.

The gossip angered John to a point where he seethed with rage. In the early hours of June 20, 1817, he headed off for Sunny Field Farm.

Waking his fiancee and leading her into the barn, arguments raged again of the gossip around the village. “Then marry me!” said Ann, but the angry exchange of words increased.

In a fit of temper John grabbed hold of a fencing stake and struck Ann a fatal blow across her head and she slumped lifeless to the ground. John carried her into the farmyard and put her body in a well used as the farm water supply, and fled the scene.

News quickly spread about the murder, and soon it reached the household at Harrow Stiles Farm who were sitting having breakfast.

His father challenged John, who jumped up and dashed out of the house. Dazed and bewildered, he wandered aimlessly over the moors.

He later arrived at the Deerplay Toll Bar, but news of the murder had already preceded him and the toll house keeper ran him out.

Later captured and taken to Lancaster Castle, he confessed his guilt to a horse thief, was found guilty at his trial, and hanged.

Ann’s funeral was held at St John’s Church, Bacup, and attended by hundreds.