A DETAILED history of Hellifield has been compiled by Herald correspondent Ken Leak.

Mr Leak, who was brought up in the village and has a long-standing interest in local history, has written the book, entitled Hellifield - A Journey Into the Past.

He said: "I decided to write the book because there has been very little published about the village since the original History of Hellifield, over 50 years ago.

"Considering the changes that have taken place in Hellifield over the last 10 years, such as the new housing developments and the disappearance of the auction mart, I felt it was an appropriate time to take a look at the village of yesteryear, and at how life used to be."

The book contains over 80 pages of village history and personal recollections, and includes many photographs, some the author's own and others loaned by local residents and never seen before.

Mr Leak, the Herald's Hellifield correspondent, introduces the book by saying how the village has altered in terms of appearance and size. However, unlike many other villages the degree of new building had been minimal over the last 30 years. The disappearance of the auction mart and new housing on the site, new houses along the main road and similar developments up the old railway sidings all happened in the last 15 years.

The book then takes a journey through time starting with the history of the village. The text is interspersed with rare photographs, such as soldiers marching through Main Street during the First World War and a school parade during the 1930s.

There is a chapter about the railway, showing its development in the 19th century up until the present day and its influence on the village. There is also a look at Hellifield Auction Mart and the people connected with it, as well as a family history of those who occupied Hellifield Peel.

The last chapter concentrates on the people of the village with photographs of Hellifield Football Team, Hellifield School in 1917, and the Sunday School circa 1900.

Mr Leak said: "I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the book by offering photographs, and those individuals who have been good enough to supply personal memories of Hellifield in by-gone days."

The book has been printed by Hudson History Publishing of Settle. It is priced at £11.95 and initially limited to 100 copies. It is available from the author by phoning 01729 850845 or Hudson History on 01729 825773.