A NEW book charting the turbulent times seen by two of Preston's oldest churches has just been published.

'Tower and Steeple', by Rory O'Brien, tells the story of St John the Evangelist Church, on Church Street, and St George the Martyr on Lune Street.

The book was officially launched on Tuesday, September 4 by the Mayoress, Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress, at St Georges Church.

Between them the two town centre landmarks have a history of over 1,400 years, and the new book uses the churches to tell the town's story too. Throughout its pages, a timeline plots the connections between the town and its famous churches.

The book charts the history of each church, showing how St George's -- the oldest church in Preston -- was built in 1723, and has now been extended and restored as a home for concerts and art exhibitions. The historic church is now also used by the Mayor for official functions.

The present St John's is the fifth Christian church to be built on the Fishergate site since the seventh century, and in 1993 the church received the Freedom of the Borough for services to the town during the 1992 Guild.

The well illustrated book is available from Waterstone's bookshop and the Harris Art gallery for £5.