THE history of Huddersfield is about to be uncovered.

Local history enthusiasts can now embark upon a short course at the university which traces the history of the town.

An introductory study evening will be held next Monday, for people to discuss the contents of the course.

It is entitled Huddersfield: A Most Handsome Town.

The course will be taken by Mrs Hilary Haigh, editor of the book from which the course takes its name.

Dr John Hargreaves, author of a soon-to-be published book, Huddersfield, will also take part of the 12-week course.

The course covers topics including religion in the early Middle Ages, landowners and their estates, the evangelical revival, industrialisation and popular protest, the First and Second World Wars, the 1930s Great Depression and post-war Huddersfield.

The study evening takes place from 7pm to 8.30pm in Room ZG/20, on the ground floor of the West Building on the main Queensgate campus.

The course starts on Monday, September 26, and costs £200.

Anyone on an income lower than £14,500 a year is entitled to free tuition, as is anyone on State benefits.

To reserve a place phone Liz Trayte on 01484 472359 or e-mail l.trayte@hud.ac.uk

* Romans who invaded Britain talked of "fierce and warlike tribes" in the north of England

* The Domesday book talks of Odersfeld - meaning "The Field of an Englishman called Huthhere"

* Godwin of Odersfeld had six carucates of land, each covering 120 acres

* The town enveloped the textile industry, due to good feed for sheep and the plentiful supply of soft water, off the moorland peat

* Records talk of a textile industry in parts of the area as far back as 1274

* In 1920 the then Huddersfield Corporation bought most of the Ramsden estate from the landowning family of the same name.