PENSIONER Nora Davies, from Baxenden, found her grandparents pictured in a new book about Accrington.

And she was treated by its co-authors to a traditional lunch at the Park Inn, Accrington, where her grandfather was once landlord.

The picture is one of 150 included in Accrington's Changing Face, Bob Dobson's third book about his home town, but his first co-written with Frank Watson.

Both authors are Accrington Grammar School old boys and have a keen interest in history, first meeting at the Hyndburn Local History Society lectures.

The book comprises old pictures of streets, workplaces, sports, transport, pubs and shops in Accrington and district.

Bob, now of Blackpool, is a retired police sergeant and started his career on the Accrington beat. Frank, of Hollins Lane, Accrington, taught at Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle.

Bob said: "I met Nora through a cousin of mine who lives in Accrington and as her grandparents were pictured in the book we thought it would be a nice idea to return to the pub for lunch and a chat. Nora could have a look at how it had changed and it would be a trip down memory lane."

The £6 book is available from local shops or from Landy Publishing, 3 Staining Rise, Staining, Blackpool FY3 OBU.

As part of the book launch, people are invited to a slide-show of views of the area, given by Frank Watson at Churchill's, Cannon Street, Accrington, tonight at 7.45pm.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.