DON'T throw away old family photographs - they could provide a valuable record for the future.

That is the plea from Susan Halstead, who spent many years as reference librarian in Rossendale and has compiled a fascinating new book about the area, Around Rossendale, published by Chalford.

It contains more than 200 old photographs of Rossendale chosen from the extensive archives in Bacup, Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Whitworth libraries.

They have been donated to the libraries over many years.

In her introduction in the book, Susan says: "If you have photographs of your great Aunt Annie or the street where you were born or the procession you marched in when you were 10-years-old, please, please do not throw them out of your attic next time you spring clean. Offer them to your local library or, if you prefer to keep them within your family, at least allow copies to be made by library staff at no cost to yourselves, so that these invaluable records can be saved for future generations." The photographs themselves are a rich record of the characters and way of life in Rossendale.

They include Crawshawbooth's Lawrence Howarth, or "Lolly Penny".

He used to make himself useful ringing the handbell at Goodshaw Parish Church, selling church magazines and running errands for the vicar but he was often tormented by small boys.

He was always keen on a bargain and, at the barbers one day for a shave, he pleaded that he only had a halfpenny.

The barber, therefore shaved half his face and would not finish the job until Lolly produced the full cost of 1d.

Other delightful photographs include sheep shearing for the Metcalfe family at Broadwood Edge, Helmshore, and post office workers from Haslingden in 1900.

Around Rossendale is published by Chalford Publishing Company, priced £9.99.

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