Blackburn

The history of Blackburn stretches back to the time of the Romans - when the area lay on the ancient military way leading from Mancunium (Manchester) to Bremetennacum (Ribchester).

Its establishment as a textile centre goes back to the 1200s, when prosperity was based on wool but by the middle of the 17th century, cotton became the dominant industry.

Thwaites, one of the country's major brewers, has its own working shire horses delivering to the local pubs, just as they did nearly two centuries ago.

Blackburn is home to one of England's newest cathedrals, yet it is one of the country's oldest places of Christian worship.

Recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086, it has, for many centuries, been the Parish Church of Blackburn dedicated to St Mary the Virgin.

Blackburn boasts one of the largest indoor markets in the country, with more than 300 stalls under one roof.

Among its famous past and present residents are contralto singer, Kathleen Ferrier, Samuel Crompton, inventor of the spinning mule, snooker player Denis Taylor, world champion motorcyclist Carl Fogarty and Baroness Barbara Castle.