IN celebration of Helmshore Local History Society's 50th birthday, a book recalling village life during World War Two has gone on sale.

The book, 'Just a Few Words: A Helmshore Boyhood,' was produced after 70-year-old Chris Aspin put together 50 years of thoughts and feelings of living in Helmshore throughout the 30s and 40s.

He had been asking people to write their memoirs for the society's archiveachieve, but only two people responded.

Chris, of East Street, said: "When I reached my 70th birthday recently, I decided to take my own advice and found myself describing a way of life that has gone forever.

"It is sad to see, but children don't play games like we used to. We used to have freedom and play in the fields with traditional toys such as hoops, a top and whip and marbles. We now live in a passive society and are a nation of spectators, which is why I felt it important to recall what life was like for people living during the war."

The retired journalist said he has many fond memories of his time as a child.

He went on: "I remember hiding under the dining room table with my teddy bear when German planes flew overhead after bombing Manchester. The sky was red, but as a child you didn't realise the real fear that the adults were feeling at the time." Chris, who has produced a number of successful titles over the years, recently discovered a book he wrote in the 60s which originally went on sale for one guinea (£1.05). He found it in a Blackpool second-hand book shop on sale forty years on for a whopping £100.

He added: "I couldn't believe it when I realised, but no matter how good or bad people may think my books have been, they have become collectors items, so who knows what this one will be worth in 50 years time."

The book is on sale in Helmshore local book shops and from Chris himself for a pre-publication price of £6.50. For a copy contact him on 01706 227129.