A NEW guide revealing fascinating facts about the history of Burnsall's St Wilfrid's Church has been produced by a local resident.

Dot Scriven, of Holesbeck Farm, Hartlington, who is a Parochial Church Council member, has put together a booklet called The Parish Church of St Wilfrid Burnsall.

It details the history of the church and also prompted the reprinting of an old compilation of the church's history.

During her research, Mrs Scriven "unearthed" a booklet, which turned out to be a history of Burnsall Church written by Mary Dawson, the wife of Col Henry Dawson, who built and lived at Hartlington Hall.

Mrs Dawson put the book together back in 1920 and now residents will have the chance to read both a history of the church as seen in Edwardian times and a history compiled by a local resident in the new millennium.

Mrs Scriven told the Herald: "Like many of our Dales churches, Burnsall has a rich and fascinating history, having been in existence since Anglo-Saxon times when it was probably a simple wooden building, dedicated to St Wilfrid."

She added that St Wilfrid became Bishop of York in 669, and tradition has it that he visited Burnsall and preached from a rock at the edge of the River Wharfe still known as St Wilfrid's Pulpit.

"It was around this church that the village grew and developed, becoming the focal point for everything which happened in the community.

"Two hundred years later, this quiet existence was interrupted by the invasion and colonisation of the Danes and the Norsemen.

"The tangible evidence of these events can be found in St Wifrid's Church today - following the discovery of the remains of 11 Viking tombstones 150 years ago."

Mrs Scriven added: "These tombstones are of major importance, for nowhere in the country have so many been discovered in one location, suggesting that Burnsall was an important Viking settlement."

Mrs Dawson's booklet is called Burnsall Church and its Story and funds raised from its production will hopefully go a long way to the funding of a permanent display of Burnsall's Viking tombstones.

Compiled with the help of Burnsall's archivist Howard Riley, and Hartlington artist Linda Aynesworth, it can be obtained, priced £3, from St Wilfred's Church or from Mrs Scriven on 01756 752724.