The secret history of Euxton's Royal Ordnance Factory is told in a new book highlighting the county's contribution to the Second World War.

The ROF, which was once the world's biggest munitions factory, is featured in Lancashire: The Secret War, which uncovers the vital role of Chorley workers to the war effort.

The book, by Ron Freethy, was produced using the personal stories of workers who put their memories into print.

It recalls how, in 1943, the factory filled explosives into the famous barrel-shaped bouncing bombs, designed by Barnes Wallis and featured in the film, Dambusters, which were used in a daring raid to destroy dams along the Ruhr Valley in Germany.

It also recalls how the factory later helped to manufacture the massive 12,000-pound 'bunker buster' tallboy bombs, which proved vital in bringing an end to the war as were used to destroy railway tunnels at the launch sites for the German V-2 rocket sites.

The book is due to be published just days after BAE Systems announced that munitions production will cease completely at Euxton, with the loss of 70 jobs.

It a far cry from the days of when over 35,000 people were employed at the site producing the bombs that helped win the war.

Mr Freethy, who has also worked for local radio, said: "With the demise of the factory it is important to record the history of the ROF, especially as there are few people left who can recount the days during the war.

"It has been inspirational and rewarding writing the book, discovering the unsung bravery and hard work of ordinary people at an extraordinary time.

"The Luftwaffe tried their hardest to bomb the factory.

"They bombed areas around Chorley but they could never find the ROF site because it was so well camouflaged with turf on all the roofs."

Other chapters in the book deal with the manufacture of jet engines in Clitheroe and the Fleetwood fishing trawlers, which as well as taking part in the evacuation of Dunkirk, were secretly converted into minesweepers.

Mr Freethy plans to write two further volumes on similar themes such as food production, rationing, children and the influx of American forces into the area.

Lancashire: The Secret War is published by Countryside Books, priced at £9.99.