LOCAL history enthusiasts who enjoy a trip back in time to Burnley's past can now get their hands on a copy of one of the earliest known maps of the town.

Dated from 1827, Fishwick's Map of Burnley is a large scale plan clearly showing all streets from that time.

The map gives a fascinating insight into how the town has changed and shows buildings and mills that are no longer there.

Secretary of the Burnley and District Historical Society Stephen Child said: "We have had it on display at the library for a long time.

"From time to time we publish books, but not often maps. We thought people would be interested in buying this."

Among the points of interest on the map are the old Bridge End Brewery in Westgate and what has been described as one of the "Seven Wonders of the Waterways".

The Straight Mile, along a straight of the Leeds-Liverpool canal, is thought to be the only straight mile along any stretch of canal in the world.

The map also gives an insight into how the town has expanded over the generations. Huffling Hall, which is still in existence in Moseley Road is surrounded by fields and trees on the map.

Now the building sits in the middle of several streets in the Rose Hill area of the town. Stephen added: "The Straight Mile is not actually a mile, but it is still almost a mile and is very unusual for a canal.

"And of course the canal had only recently opened in 1827."

The Historical Society are hoping that the map will be of interest to anyone who lives in Burnley, but also to the schools and colleges of the town.

"I think it will be of interest not just to older people, but teachers and children.

"Pupils must study local history as part of their GCSEs now so something like this is wonderful for that.

"It is primary resource material for them."

The map is available now at the Reference Library in Parker Lane priced £4.