A WRITER and history expert was due to feature on a primetime ITV1 documentary tonight.

Ron Freethy, who writes a weekly column for the Lancashire Telegraph, will be providing analysis on the county’s cotton industry heritage in How The North Was Built.

The programme is presented by Geordie Robson Green, who will be looking into how industry has shaped the region and its people.

Author Ron, who lives near Pendle Hill, was asked to take part after researchers read some of his books.

The 77-year-old said: “As I have written about the Lancashire cotton industry they asked me if I wanted to help.

“When they realised I had done TV before, they asked if I would like to contribute.

“I was a bit reluctant at first and I had to think about it for a couple of days. But I thought that as long as I was not taking a lead, I would try it.”

As part of the history lesson, the crew filmed at Helmshore Mills Textile Museum.

Ron said his main job was to talk about the industry’s link with sport. He said: “The idea of sports teams being sponsored by companies was started during the heyday of the Lancashire cotton ind-ustry.

“What the owners used to was, if somebody was really good at sport, they would give them a job in the mill.

“It was like professional sport under a blanket.

“All of our local football teams, including Blackburn and Burnley were sponsored in the early days by cotton.”

Ron added that filming, which took place in January, with Soldier Soldier actor Robson was a lot of fun.

He said: “He is a lovely fellow and really easy to work with. He just let me go with what I wanted to say. He was one of the easiest people I have ever worked with and was completely natural.”

How The North Was Built is on ITV1 at 9pm tonight and tomorrow.