AN author born into abject poverty in 1920s Blackburn has seen his account of life among the looms hit the top of the bestsellers chart.

It is nine years since William Woodruff's poignant tale of what it was like to be a boy growing up in East Lancashire in the Depression was first published.

Now The Road to Nab End has won widespread acclaim and fans all over the world as the country's number one paperback.

The book has been described by literary critics as "a masterpiece" -- a feeling clearly shared by readers who have bought over 120,000 copies since January to push it to the top of the sales charts.

Yet when it was first published in 1993 under the title Billy Boy by a small independent company the book failed to make any impression. A second publishers then took up the book two years ago and changed the title -- Billy Boy is a brand of German condom!

It immediately met with huge critical acclaim and serialisation in a national newspaper, selling a respectable 20,000 copies along the way.

But it was when Abacus -- part of the giant Time Warner entertainment group -- reprinted the book in paperback, that it really took off.

A spell as BBC Radio 4's Book at Bedtime in January won it many fans but it appears to be largely word of mouth which has seen it achieve national prominence.

The Nab End in the title refers to the Nab Lane area of Blackburn where William Woodruff and his family lived in a tiny, back-to-back terrace.

He left Blackburn in 1933 to find work in London and this period of his life is covered in an eagerly-awaited sequel to the best seller which will be published within the next 12 months.

The author's agent, Rivers Scott said: "I think any great success like this takes almost everybody by surprise. One knew from the start it was a very good book.

"The author is very pleased. It seems to be a life's work, in a way, and it is wonderful recognition for him, his career and his writing ability. It reads beautifully."

Now 85 and living in Florida, his home for the past 30 years, William Woodruff is a remarkable man. Born on a pallet of straw in the carding room of a cotton mill he left school at 13.

Yet he went to Oxford University, was decorated for bravery fighting at Anzio in the Second World War before becoming a world-renowned economic historian and professor who has lectured at some of the world's leading universities.

"Not bad for a weaver's son," is his understated assessment of his career.

The style of writing and attention to detail in The Road to Nab End is what has captured people's imagination.

Publishers Abacus say the book is "above all, a story of human triumph against the odds".

Woodruff himself is less prosaic.

"If you worked, you ate. If there was no work, you went hungry," he said.

Mr Fred Newby at Bookland in Ainsworth Street in Blackburn said The Road to Nab End is the shop's best ever selling local book.

He said: "It has been very much word of mouth -- we sell copies every day. It is just so well written."

The book has struck a particular chord with former Blackburn residents.

John Mitchell, 65, who used to live in Langham Road and now in Somerset said: "I found the book utterly enthralling and deeply moving, and not only because I grew up in Blackburn myself.

"It was written with passion, humour, commitment and a wonderful eye and ear for remembered detail.

"The book was given to me as a Christmas present.

"Next Christmas my friends and relatives will be getting it -- if I can wait until then to tell them about it."

William Woodruff has written over 60 books during his career, many of them highly respected academic works.

But it is his own story about life in Lancashire which has really made its mark.