FASCINATING tales from East Lancashire's past are being told in a new television documentary.

Lost Treasures is an eight-part series on ITV looking at the North West's past and the spotlight over the next fortnight is going to fall on events in the east of the county.

In this Sunday's episode Ribchester will be the focus of attention as the programme looks at how the Roman invasion of Britain forced the native tribes to be subdued.

Next week's episode looks at the Pendle Witches and also tells the tale of Burnley's Francis Towneley.

In the Ribchester episode, attention is given to the Roman suppression of druids and other cultures in places such as Anglesey, Chester and Northumberland.

The programme follows the Roman journey from Chester all the way up through Ribchester and to Hexham on Hadrian's Wall.

Ribchester comes in to the fray because it was the site of a Roman fort that was home to 500 Sarmation Cavalry who were used to quell uprisings among the traditional northern tribes.

The ruins of the Roman bath houses and grain stores are still visible in the village and in 1796 a young boy uncovered the Ribchester Hoard.

This stunning find included a rare ceremonial face mask used by a cavalry officer - the only one of its type ever found in Britain - and other artefacts from the Roman legions.

Ribchester Roman Museum curator Patrick Tostevin, said: "Although the Romans were based here, we know very little about the indigenous population in this area.

"While there were no druids in Ribchester, the native tribe was the Brigantes who stretched across northern England.

"The Roman suppressed these as well. They would have been subjugated and became part of the northern province of Britain."

Next week, the programme starts with imposing views of Pendle Hill and then goes on to relate the tale of the Pendle Witches' trial of 1612 that saw 10 supposed witches from the region hanged at Lancaster Castle.

Much of the drama was played in neighbouring villages as several dysfunctional families fell out and dabbled in witchcraft with dire consequences.

Presenter Mark Olly visits the "Witches Galore" shop in Newchurch-in-Pendle to find out why we are so fascinated with witchcraft.

The English Civil War sparked a second witch hunt with the reign of terror of Witch hunter' Mathew Hopkins.

As the story of the Pendle Witches and the fascination people have with it is told, Mark switches his attention to "the dark, satanic mills" of Lancashire and how the region became the heart of Britain's industrial revolution.

Burnley's Towneley Hall is also shown in the context of the English Civil War and in particular the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.

It tells how Francis Towneley, a descendent of the Towneley family, joined the Jacobite rebellion but was captured at Carlisle and was executed in London as a traitor on July 3, 1746.

His skull is shown in the family tomb of St Peter's Church in Church Street, Burnley.

Lost Treasures spokesman Keith Thompson said: "Lancashire has proved to be a rich haven for lost archaeology.

"Our intention is to reveal lesser-known treasures in the region and to encourage people to search for their own lost treasures responsibly and safely.

"History is all around us and beneath our feet if we know where to look."

The programmes is broadcast on ITV1 at 6.05pm on Sundays.