ALTHOUGH it has been used and misused over the centuries, the name Hyndburn suggests what it once was -- a stream where the deer roamed free.

Accrington is the unofficial capital of Hyndburn and the river is now culverted beneath the largely Victorian town. The Shopping Arcade is particularly attractive.

Accrington is one of the few sensible towns which resisted demolishing its Victorian market hall and has reaped the benefit ever since and another architectural gem is the Town Hall which had its origins as an institute to celebrate the life of Sir Robert Peel.

There is a well-designed town trail which is appropriately named after the acorn. The name Accrington means "a settlement surrounded by oak trees" and so the Acorn Trail is well named.

Part of the trail points out the fact that the area was once owned by a monastic institution and there are a number of inns which have their origins during the days of the turnpike roads.

Accrington has two claims to fame and neither should be forgotten. These are the Accrington Pals and Accrington Stanley. The Pals made up a regiment of soldiers fighting during the First World War who, despite taking terrifying casualties, literally stuck to their guns.

Accrington Stanley was one of the founder members of the Football League but, after going out of existence, the team has now been revitalised and aiming to be promoted into the Conference during 2003.

Accrington also has a claim to fame in the art world and the Haworth Art Gallery is known for its unique collection of Tiffany glass.

Great Harwood is, like Accrington, a very underrated settlement. Situated roughly between Blackburn and Whalley, Great Harwood has a 15th century church and an interesting clock dominating the town square..

This timepiece celebrates the life of John Mercer who discovered how to produce parchment paper and also how to Mercerise fabrics.

This process increases the lustre of cotton fibres. Born in the nearby hamlet of Dean in 1791, John was a clever chemist who treated fibres with caustic soda which causes swelling and, providing the material is kept under tension, the fibres become almost transparent.

Mercer deserves his clock and other buildings in the town which celebrate his life.