A WALKING tour detailing the brutal crimes of ‘Jack The Ripper’ is to be held not in the East End of London...but 200 miles away in the Victorian alleyways of Clitheroe.

The unusual venture is the idea of award-winning tour guide Simon Entwistle, who conducts history and ghost walk tours across East Lancashire.

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He thought up the idea for the events, the first one of which is being held tomorrow, after learning that many of the original sites in Whitechapel and surrounding areas of the capital, have been redeveloped.

He believes parts of Clitheroe town centre now more closely resemble contemporary 1880s London, where the horrific crimes were perpetrated and still resonate 130 years later.

Mr Entwistle said: “Two years ago I won the Lancashire Tourism Superstar Award and was invited by the Visit England tourism association to Tower Bridge for the celebration.

“I met some marvellous tour guides one being a chap who conducts Jack The Ripper tours.

“I struck up a good friendship and as a result accompanied him on a few city Ripper tours.

“A lot of the original sites have gone due to redevelopment of the area.

“But he brought with him pictures from 1888 Whitechapel.

“What I personally found fascinating is some of the murder scenes, which took place in Bucks Row, Hanbury Street and Berner Street, look just like the alleyways and snickets of Victorian Clitheroe.

“I had this idea for 2017 and that is to bring the Jack the Ripper tour to Clitheroe.

“I aim for it to be atmospheric and informative as there is still a great deal of interest in the story even after all these years.”

In the autumn of 1888, Whitechapel was shocked at the horrific murders of five women; Polly Nichols, Anne Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddows and Margaret Kelly.

The tour covers the many officers who failed to catch the culprit.

Those taking part will also hear eye-witness accounts of people who came within inches of the murderer and also hear the words from letters sent to the Central News Agency and the infamous ‘Dear Boss’ letter.

The tour will last an hour and at the end visitors will be given the names of eight chief suspects.

Mr Entwistle will be conducting his first Ripper tour from 7.30pm with attendees meeting at Clitheroe Castle gates.