ONE of Lancashire’s most notorious unsolved murders is featured in a new book said to be the first of its kind.

The tale surrounding the demise of farmer Jim Dawson near Clitheroe in 1934 forms part of Murder at The Inn: A History of Crime in Britain’s Pubs and Hotel’s to be published this month.

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Author and journalist James Moore has compiled the book containing more than 250 hostelries across the country each linked to cases of murder and mayhem.

As well as chronicling accounts of criminals including the Krays, Dick Turpin and Jack the Ripper, the book also includes details of Mr Dawson’s story.

The 46 year old was shot as he walked home to Bashall Hall after drinking in the Edisford Bridge Hotel.

“After being shot he refused surgery to remove the bullet lodged in his shoulder and he later died.

Since then there have been reports of a ghostly figure being seen near to the gate where he met his end.

Adam Daly, 21, who works on the bar at the Grade II-listed pub, said: “The pub has become well known because of this case and everyone in the local area knows the story.

“A lot of the older generation know about it and come in and raise the subject now and again.

“It’s great that this story is being highlighted by this book and the fact that it is unsolved adds to the intrigue of the story.”

Mr Moore said: “The history of Britain’s pubs, inns and hotels has gone hand in hand with the history of crime.

“Now, for the first time we link pubs that can still be found today with captivating and sometimes horrifying tales from their past.”

The area around Edisford Bridge has a chequered history of death and destruction and was the scene in 1137 of a mighty battle at the ford when the Norman forces based at Clitheroe Castle were ambushed by an army of Scots and butchered.

It was said that the Ribble ran red with blood following the battle.

Later on, a leper colony is said to have existed near to where the Edisford Bridge Hotel now stands.

The area has such a spooky history that ghost walker Simon Entwistle, on his tours around Clitheroe, take visitors to the hotel.