BUSINESS studies lecturer Jim Ainsworth, from Accrington, has just had his first novel published.

Mr Ainsworth, who lectures at Manchester College of Arts and Technology, has written previously on industrial history.

Now turned storyteller, his latest book is about a working class Catholic family living in North East Lancashire during the years 1900 to 1963.

The characters and situations in the book are entirely imaginary, says the former Accrington borough councillor.

But Eddie Stanley, hero of "Catholicism, Socialism, Football, And Beer", is born in the same year as the author and, like Mr Ainsworth, leaves the Catholic church.

Mr Ainsworth, who describes himself as an agnostic, recalls his own Catholic upbringing as "very strict" and a "learning experience". He said: "The ideas for the book have been gleaned from all over the place - things I have seen happen to other people and on television."

The foreword is by Bruce Kent, who says the author has every right to be proud of the book, dedicated to Mr Ainsworth's late wife, Patricia, who died at the beginning of August.

Mr Ainsworth sent Mr Kent a draft copy after discussing the book with him when he gave an annual lecture to Hyndburn and Rossendale Trades Union Council, which has published the 182-page paperback.

He said: "I wanted to write it in the right tone. He read it and said it should not upset anyone. Most of the people who have bought it so far have been Catholic.'

The front cover shows the author as a youngster on a centenary Howard and Bullough works trip to Blackpool in 1953 when Accrington emptied for the day as thousands of local folk headed for the coast.

The book, price £9.99, is on sale at Wardleworths, in Accrington.

Mr Ainsworth has lived in the Accrington area all his life and now lives in Claremont Road.

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