AN eight year labour of love ended recently for Leigh-born Phil Taylor with the publication of a book on his famous relative, Jonathan Dewhurst.

"Jonathan Dewhurst - The Lancashire Tragedian", which tells of the life of Leigh's great Victorian actor, is now available.

And Phil, formerly of Beech Crescent, Leigh, and co-writer wife Susan, who now live in Sussex, will be at Leigh Library next Thursday (January 17) from 10am to 4.30pm to talk about the life and work of the artist and their intensive research.

Dewhurst was born in 1837 and is another product of Leigh's most famous road - Wilkinson Street, also the home of the famous "Goodbye Mr Chips" writer James Hilton.

Full story next week.