T is a commonly held belief that black and Asian people only arrived in Lancashire in the 1950s and 60s to work in the cotton mills.

But documents held at the county's record office have revealed that ethnic minorities were living in and contributing to the county as far back at 1602.

Now a special exhibition called Surgeons, Soldiers, Settlers - 400 Years of Black and Asian History in Lancashire' is to tour the county's libraries, telling their story for the first time.

Its launch, yesterday, was set to coincide with local community and history month, and will also run throughout October which is black history month.

Neil Sayer, senior archivist, said: "It is a gripping history of ordinary people living extraordinary lives as they adapted to a completely new way of life."

He said the information contained in the exhibition had taken him three years to compile by sifting through newspaper clippings, books, and official records like church documents.

One tale contained in the exhibition is that of Dr Dharmavir who was born in the Jullandar District of the Punjab in 1875.

He attended King Edward Medical College in Lahore and undertook further training in Edinburgh, where he was awarded medical and surgical qualifications in 1899.

He moved to Padiham after a few years in practice in South Yorkshire.

From 1907, his official reports to the Padiham Urban District Council record his interest in improving the health and amenities of the town.

This included pioneering work in the field of maternity and child welfare work, for which he organised a centre in Parish Street in 1914.

His wife was a volunteer in the centre, and provided toys for the use of toddlers while their younger siblings were being weighed.

Dr Dharmavir's medical practice operated from Osborne Terrace, Church Street, and he brought up his family at Ighten House, Padiham Road, Burnley.

He returned to India after about 20 years.

Mr Sayer said: "If you are the only Indian living in Padiham at that time you would have needed a tremendous amount of self confidence. I have a great deal of admiration for him."

Coun Chris Cheetham, cabinet member for adult and community services, also urged East Lancashire residents to see the exhibition.

He added: "I want people from the general population to understand the contribution made by back and Asian people. From an ethnic minority point of view it is proof that in Lancashire their history matters."

The exhibition will be at the following libraries: Accrington, September 15 to 16; Whalley, September 19; Padiham, September 20; Burnley Colne Road, September 21; Clitheroe, September 22; Great Harwood, September 29; Blackburn, October 2 to 4; Darwen, October 5 to 6; Chorley, October 11; Burnley, October 16 to 17; Nelson, October 18; Haslingden, October 24; Colne, November 6 to 11; and Brierfield, November 22.

People with diaries or letters they no longer want are urged to deposit them at the record office in Preston.