TODMORDEN is one of those places people tend to drive through when county-hopping.

But the town, which received its charter as a borough 100 years ago, has a fascinating history which is well documented in a book just published

Years of research have gone into A History of Todmorden, written by residents Malcolm and Freda Heywood, together with Nelson-born Bernard Jennings.

It covers everything from medieval times, charting the town's history through to modern day. It tells Todmorden grew up from a handful of farming communities into a society which prospered by combining farming and woollen textiles.

All those who think Todmorden is full of dark satanic mills - there are references to at least 40 - are in for a surprise when they read the book. The countryside above the town is breathtaking and dotted with fine houses built by the "yeoman clothiers" who made their fortunes during the Industrial Revolution.

Todmorden also played a strong role in the Co-operative movement and by 1896 the culture "cotton, Co-op and chapel" was dominant. But by the Second World War it went into sharp decline. The book has many fine illustrations and old photographs and also some specially-commissioned works by local artist Lawrence Greenwood.

It is published by Smith Settle, of Ilkley Road, Otley, West Yorkshire, priced £12.95 paperback, £16.95 hardback.

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