AN ARTIST and writer have combined talents and years of research - to produce a potted history of Blackburn and the surrounding area.

And Christopher Burns, of Livesey Branch Road, Feniscowles, with his father, Francis, have now started the hunt for a sponsor or publisher to bring it to the shelves.

They have worked on the book together for five years, with Christopher painting the pictures and Francis writing the poems and narrative. They have also collected old photographs and maps dating back to the 1700s.

Christopher, who has an art studio at Oswaldtwistle Mills, said: "The book is something we have not seen in Blackburn. There have been other books written about the area, but not with such a lively narrative and illustrations.

"It starts at the Sun Paper Mill in Feniscowles and includes depictions of Pleasington, Knuzden, Witton Park, the town centre and all the surrounding areas of Blackburn.

"The idea came to us about five years ago after reading other publications about the town. It includes areas not covered in any other books which we wanted to record for future reference.

"It was an immense amount of work and now we're just waiting for help with the publishing."

Anyone who can offer advice, can publish the work, or help with sponsorship are invited to contact Christopher on 01254 53589 or 697157.

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