A HOTEL in a small town has a history rooting back to the 19th century.

This photo, which was taken in March 1860, shows The Crown Hotel just eight years after it was constructed.

A toll gate can be seen at the bottom left of the picture.

More than 150 years ago The Crown Hotel was built in the quiet mill town of Colne.

The Albert Road hotel, which is located near Colne Station, has been described as a 'charming' place.

The hotel was a former coaching inn, built in 1852 to service the then new railway station system in Colne.

Coaching inns formed a vital part of Europe's inland transport infrastructure in the 19th Century, until the development of the railway.

It provided a resting point for people and horses and served the needs of travellers, for good, drink and rest.

A rural coaching inn still exists in Pendle and is located on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border.

Alma Inn, which is based just above the village of Laneshawbridge, is an old inn originally built in 1725.

The inn was awarded four stars and has ten luxury en-suite bedrooms.

The Crown Hotel remains open for business and is a roadhouse stage during the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival held over the August bank holiday weekend.