PRESTON author Marjorie Hull's first novel Mistress Jennet is a Lancashire alternative to Gone With Wind.

Set in the village of Broughton in the 17th century, it tells of a young woman's struggle to maintain her farm as her husband goes off to fight in the civil war.

The story is fairly predictable, so for those who enjoy a juicy romance with a dash of intrigue, I'll let you discover it for yourself.

But the appeal of this book is not so much the tale, but in the setting, both locally and historically.

It tells of the town's Guild and what it meant to the common people in 1642 when morris dancing, bear-baiting, cock fighting and wrestling matches were popular.

For anyone interested in the history of our area, Mistress Jennet is much more fun than a text book for getting to grips with events which shaped the country today.

Publishers Winckley Press clearly recognised the potential of this book, and already Marjorie Hull is busy putting the finishing touches to a sequel Master Roger to be published next year.

Mistress Jennet is available in most local book shops at a price of £6.95 and would make a lovely present for mum for Christmas.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.