ON A whistlestop tour of the city, I learned of a wealth of hidden history, including a secret church with its entrance through a pub.

The Catholic Preston tour is one of the most popular of the guided walks on offer by the city's tourism department, and as the city lays claim to once being the capital of Catholicism in Britain, it seemed an apt way to learn more of its history.

Even the name Preston is thought to derive from its religious origins as 'town of priests', coined in the eighth century, from the Saxon term 'Prestatun'.

The Catholic walk is popular among people of all faiths.

Jane Humphreys, an official guide for the North West Tourist Board, leads the tour and has extensive knowledge of the area.

"St Mary's, in Friargate, was built secretly in 1605, when it was illegal for Catholic churches to be built," she said. "The only access was through a pub to disguise the place of worship."

During the walk, we visited the shrine on a car park which marks the site of the former church, demolished in 1990.

Mrs Humphreys said: "It's a favourite on the tour, people are keen to come here. It always seems close to people's hearts."

Across the city in Theatre Street, the now derelict site of St Joseph's Orphanage and Institute for the Sick Poor brought back memories for some of the tour party.

Brenda Worthington, from Penwortham was born in the institute, which eventually became a hospital. She said: "My mum had me in there and she said there was a woman in labour who was screaming for her mum.

"The nun who was helping her give birth said 'you should have shouted for your mum nine months ago'."

Mrs Humphreys said she enjoyed the different stories. "I learn something new and I love swapping memories with the people on my tours," she said.

Other guided tours include Winckley Square, Mormon Preston, Entertainments and Jacobites 1715. For details, call the Tourist Information Office on 01772 253731.