GLIMPSED in Looking Back last month, ancient Overlockshaw Hall, which vanished from Mill Hill, Blackburn, over 80 years ago re-emerges today - from a dustbin in Chester.

This picture of the 1691 farmhouse, which disappeared in 1920 to make way for the old Palladium Cinema that's now a supermarket, was rescued from the bin three years ago Ribchester-born Mrs Barbara Wilson who fancied the frame that it was in.

It was when she dismantled it, that clues to its origin surfaced. One was a label on the reverse saying: "From the Photographic Studio of W.H. Duxbury, Portrait and Landscape Photographer, 30, 32 & 34, Fielden (sic) Street, Blackburn. Copies can always be had."

Others were a piece a cardboard that had been used as backing for the picture, with with words, "Overlock Hall," written in pencil on it, and a torn piece of brown paper inscribed with the legend, "Built in the year 1691 near Blackburn. My father and mother at the door, Mr and Mrs Wm Harter."

Its evident links with the town prompted Mrs Wilson to send the picture to her sister, Mrs Audrey Pickup, of Parsonage Road, Blackburn, who spent three years trying to find out more about the old hall - without luck until Looking Back last month told of its origins and links with the town's ancient Astley family.

"The article was just what we had been waiting for," said Mrs Pickup.

Dating the picture, however, is a little difficult, for if William Harter and his lived at Overlockshaw Hall or elsewhere in Blackburn when they posed for Duxbury's camera, Looking Back could not been able to find any record of them in directories of the late Victorian and Edwardian era.

Indeed, the hall seems to have changed hands quite often, having had at least three different occupants from 1897 to 1915.

Nor could any specific mention of W.H. Duxbury be found - other than one of a William Henry Duxbury living at 34, Feilden Street in 1909, though he is not listed as a photographer.

But were William Harter and his wife your ancestors? If so, Mrs Pickup would be happy to return this picture of them to their descendants. Call her on 01254-249335.