HOW much do we Warringtonians really know about our home town? Not nearly enough, according to amateur historian Harry Wells.

The 46-year-old, who runs a model shop in Orford Lane, has spent countless hours researching the town's colourful past.

He has just published an illustrated booklet entitled 'A Short History of Orford Hall' which is the first in a series he is planning to write on Warrington.

Mr Wells said: "Warrington has a very rich history and people should be made more aware of it. Other towns do a much better job of promoting their heritage and selling themselves."

His research into Orford Hall was not helped by the fact that the building, which stood in the park at the bottom of Orford Avenue, was demolished in 1935.

The hall was destroyed without any proper photographic or documentary record, but Mr Wells still managed to dig out enough facts to write a thorough and entertaining booklet.

He said: "I got a lot of information from the Blackburne family's papers at the county record office in Chester and also from the local history collection in Warrington. It was a fascinating subject to research, and it made me realise what a great shame it is that the hall was demolished."

'A Short History of Orford Hall' is available from Norris Street Post Office, Warrington Museum and from bookshops in the town centre, price £3.50.

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