THE highest market town in Lancashire, Haslingden has a long history.

There's a Bronze Age circle on Thirteen Stone Hill, though the earliest written records are from the 13th century.

It wasn't until the 18th century that it began to grow with any significance, when the hill farmers began to add to their income, by weaving woollen and cotton cloth.

Then textiles became the leading industry and Haslingden specialised in working up waste cotton from other factories.

Quarrying was another important industry and the millstone grit, used to build the area's mills, houses and public buildings, was sold throughout the country.

The village of Grane in the valley disappeared under the waters of Ogden Reservoir when it was constructed between 1902 and 1912 to supply drinking water to the Manchester area.

It had its own church, chapel, school and pub. The villagers - there was a population of around 1,500, some in the village close to the road and others in scattered farms and hamlets - were also notorious for distilling their own whisky.