FLIXTON historian, Steven Dickens, has come up with Altrincham Through Time, a collection of photographs about the development of Altrincham over a century.

It follows his books about Sale, Flixton, Urmston and Davyhulme and the Manchester Ship Canal and six other areas, including Bangor.

The 54-year-old, married to Sarah, has six children aged seven – 16.

He said: “I have always liked local history. Altrincham is one of the older towns with its charter and market.

“One of my ancestors ran a green grocer’s shop in Bowdon in the 1880s.

“Most of my pictures are from postcards although Trafford’s Local Studies department has been a useful source, too.”

Steven took the modern pictures himself and his 16-year-old eldest daughter, Nadia, helped with the technical side.

Incredibly, it only took him six months to complete.

“After a few books, you get into your stride,” he said.

His favourite picture is one of Dunham Hall taken in 1910. “It brings back memories of my childhood in the 1970s."

Below the menu of a Court Leet gathering in 1901, which the writer discovered on Ebay, is a modern day image of the Old Market Tavern. The dinner took place there when it was the Town Hall.

The oldest picture shows Altrincham station taken in 1881 when it first opened.

“I am interested in the infrastructure of railways. The social impact that the railway had on cities is fascinating,” he said.

“From a social history point of view, my picture of paddlers at Ashley Mills on the River Bollin reflects the different way people spent their leisure time in 1910. No holidays abroad for them.”

“This book is my way of giving something back to the community.”

* Altrincham Through Time is published by Amberley. It is available from major book shops, priced £14.99.