BEFORE the dramatic mid-Victorian growth of Barrow there was the original old Barrow Village.

In the middle of the 18th century it was eight houses.

Even the growth of iron ore shipments from around 1790 did little to promote expansion beyond a few extra cottages and some farm outbuildings converted for use by labourers.

By 1845 the village had 30 houses and a few shops and specialist trades - such as a blacksmith, grocer, tailor, butcher and a shoe maker.

There were jetties into the Barrow Channel for boats to take away iron ore but within a few years this transport role had been taken over by the Furness Railway.

The Harbour Hotel was under construction in 1850 for Thomas Fisher.

There are few traces left of the Barrow Village beyond some sections of old wall near the King’s Arms and towards Morrisons and the Harbour Hotel.

Much of the rest lies under later buildings such as the 1950s police station and Alfred Barrow School.