A 150-year-old book has shed new light on the history of Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

The book contains minutes of the London and North West Railway Company, which owned the canal in the 1800s.

And it includes notes about the death of a toddler and a workman's tragic demise.

The book was found in a skip in the 1940s by former railway employee Donald Shields, from York.

His niece, Sheila Gallagher, from Bradford, came into possession of the book and recently contacted British Waterways to see if they wanted it.

Laurence Morgan, general manager at British Waterways Yorkshire, said they were delighted with it.

He said: "We were thrilled to be given this book, which is in immaculate condition and brings history to life in the 21st century. Items such as these are priceless, as we can learn about the people who lived and worked around the canal.

"We are pleased to be able to add this to our archives."

The book has revealed unknown facts about the canal, which re-opened five years ago after a multi-million-pound restoration.

They include records of the death of two-year-old Golcar girl Mary Ann Taylor.

She was playing near the canal in 1857 when she was crushed between the balance beam of the Low Lock Gate and the wall.

The book also reveals the sudden death from a heart attack of a boatman, working for Messrs Kenworths.

The man died while `legging a canal boat' through Standedge Tunnel at Marsden.

The book also recorded damage to the tunnel in February, 1856, from rock and shale created by traffic in the adjoining railway tunnel.

Another entry told of a boatman named James Pickles who was convicted by Huddersfield magistrates of obstructing the canal navigation.

He was fined 40 shillings and also had to pay costs.

The last entry in the book was made on March 20, 1869.

It is about Messrs. John Haigh and Sons, who wanted permission to have a projection sticking out over the canal towpath, from a new mill that was being built on Durren Street Bridge.

The book will be on view at British Waterways events, such as its Family History Weekend at Standedge visitor centre in August.