IF anyone from this area of the 1600s were suddenly spirited back here, they would probably get the shock of their after-life to see how it had all changed.

But not if they landed in Quarlton. This ancient township people think is part of Hawkshaw village, Bury.

Of all the places that have survived the centuries in what was once Bolton-le-Moors, there are few where time has stood still to quite the same extent.

Now, for the first time, the history of Quarlton is told in fascinating detail in "Quarlton, a Quiet Corner of Bolton-le-Moors."

It's another incredibly detailed labour of love by Jim Francis, the chairman of Turton Local History Society. It is his TWELFTH book for the society on the history of parts of the former Turton Urban District that was swallowed up by Bolton and Blackburn in 1974. And it is the society's 21st book since 1975.

Jim, of Old Ned's Farm, Bradshaw said: "It is quite amazing that, with all the industry gone, Quarlton remains largely as it was in 1620, a large grazing area with its wide sweeping hills running from 650 feet above sea level in Quarlton Vale to 1,250 feet on Quarlton Heights.

"This marvellous open country provides some of the best walks in the Bolton and Bury area, with views enhanced by the lakes and old stone built farmhouses dotting the landscape in their ancient rural locations."

Nearly all the farmhouses listed in 1620 are still occupied today.

In fact, Quarlton is so rural, bounded by higher Bradshaw, Hawkshaw, Edgworth and the Holcombe Moors, that there are probably folk who don't realise it is there or even that it was one of seven ancient townships that made up the old Turton Urban District.

Jim explained: "It is the least known of the townships and is in danger of losing its identity as parts gradually merge into nearby Edgworth or Hawkshaw."

The book contains so much detail that Jim even lists how much Poll Tax some people paid. Contrary to popular belief, Poll Tax was not a Thatcher creation and Quarlton folk were paying a shilling a head in 1678!

Jim describes all the industries, mainly mining, textiles and printing, which dotted the area and records when they ceased to exist.

The book is £4 from Harwood, Bromley Cross Bolton and Bury libraries, Sweetens and Waterstones in Bolton and Smithills Hall.