EVER wondered what Leyland looked like nearly a century ago?

Well now you can find out , thanks to a local historian who has helped draw up maps showing what parts of South Ribble looked like nearly 100 years ago.

David Hunt, curator of South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre, Church Road, Leyland, has helped piece together the history of Leyland, Farington and Lostock Hall, for three new maps.

They cover the three areas as they looked in 1909, when Leyland's town hall was in Towngate and much of the area was a quilt of green fields.

On the back of each map Mr Hunt has also written historic details of the areas.

Mr Hunt, who has written history books on Leyland and Bamber Bridge, said: "This was a time of great development and growth for Leyland which was something of a boom town.

"There were 10,000 people in the town and it was a great centre for employment.

"It was the world leader for rubber and Leyland Motors was rapidly growing into the large firm it was to become."

The Leyland map shows the town as far north as Golden Hill Lane, and early settlements can be seen as well as a few familiar sights including the former St Mary's RC Church, Worden Lane, and the Eagle and Child pub, Church Road. The Farington map shows Farington Mills while the Lostock Hall one details a web of railway lines in the 1900s.

Mr Hunt said the maps, produced by County Durham based historic map publishers, Alan Godfrey Maps, are an ideal way of looking at history. Most of man's activities leave a mark on the landscape and if we are quick enough we can read it on a map.

"It's very interesting and hopefully people will buy them and learn more about what their area used to look like."

The maps, based on Ordnance Survey maps, cost £2.10-£2.20 each.

They will be available from March 26 from www.alangodfreymaps.co.uk or at Waterstones in Preston.