A MYSTERY piece of Accrington history is to be given a home in the town hall after it was donated to the council.

The Jubilee Souvenir Book, which chronicles life in the town from 1878 to 1928, was presented to Mayor of Hyndburn Coun Win Frankland.

The book belonged to Alice Coulton, who died in January aged 88. Her daughter Christine Ireland wanted the council to have it as a memorial to her mother.

But Christine admits she has no idea where her mother got the book from.

"I had never seen it before in my life. I was clearing out mum's house an I found it in a chest of drawers in her bedroom," said Christine, 62.

Christine, who now lives on the Costa Blanca in Spain, says the mystery of where the book came from may never be solved: "Alice was the youngest of three sisters, and the other two are both dead, so it is possible it got passed down to her after each one died.

"I have asked cousins in the family but nobody has a clue of its history" she said.

Alice, who lived on Moss Hall Road, Accrington, used to be a weaver and then went on to work at Burco in the town.

Christine said: "I was planning on going back to Spain and didn't know what to do with it, so I told the local councillor, Malcolm Pritchard and he was very excited. I thought it would be better to give it back to the town.

"At least now it can be of some use to someone, and perhaps will provide some historical insight," said Christine.

The book, which is in excellent condition, contains pictures of old Accrington as well as information on the coat of arms and details of how much rent and rates people paid.

Coun Pritchard, who lived on the same street as Alice and arranged the presentation, said: "It's really interesting to look at the old Accrington. There are pictures of the tram lines, and Oak Hill and Milnshaw parks. There's lots of pictures of the mayors and councillors from that time. It basically has everything you would want to know about old Accrington - it's fascinating.

"I'm very proud that we have got it here, it shows Accrington as it was and is a very interesting book. Hopefully people that were around in 1928 will remember lots of the things that the book explains. It will be put in the town hall, I have asked for a plaque to be put up saying that it was donated in the memory of Alice Coulton," said Coun Pritchard.

Albert Wilkinson, chairman of Accrington Local History Society said: "The book was produced as part of the 50th anniversary of the incorporation of the borough of Accrington. A lot of these type of things were produced but nothing quite as elaborate as this, it's a very very good publication."