SECRETS hidden in plain sight are to be uncovered with a new book.

The history of Barrow has been detailed in the latest offering from popular local author and historian Gill Jepson.

'Secret Barrow in Furness' tells the tale of the town stretching back to reveal its long-forgotten history.

Mrs Jepson said: "People often just think of Barrow as only existing from the 1840s onwards after the industrial revolution but there's so much more before that.

"It's always good for the area to get people interested in the history of their town. A lot of people may dismiss it as not very important but it is.

"It's got such a brilliant history so it's about putting Barrow on the map again. It's such an undersold area and it shouldn't be forgotten

The book is the second the author has had published by Amberley, following 'Barrow-in-Furness Through Time'.

She said: "I found it really quite interesting doing it.

"I'm very positive about the history of Furness and I've learned so much more about the area from people I've met doing this.

"It's been great to find so many people who have got a real interesting in this."

Mrs Jepson began work on the book earlier this year, and was pleased to see it published last month.

She said: "There's things around the town from World War One that we walk past on a daily basis without realising they're there.

"There's lots of wonderful and different things around that we wouldn't normally think about.

"It also brings it back around to looking at what is here now, not before."

The book also focuses on a number of famous faces with ties to the area.

Among its famous sons and daughters is Liverpool and England footballer Emlyn Hughes, Hairy Biker Dave Myers and former director general of MI5 Dame Stella Rimington.

Mrs Jepson said: "It's about the lesser known history of Barrow. All of the little characteristics that are often overlooked or forgotten.

"It's brilliant to discover some of the places that are still here and right at the heart of living Barrow.

"A lot of people might not realise some of these places are still around and that's great because it prompts more questions.

"There's a house that belonged to writer, historian and amateur archaeologist Harper Gaythorpe's from the 1800s and his house is still in existence.

"It's giving a new aspect to the history."

The book promises to unearth a number of secrets and tales including the mysterious monastic murder to the arrival of Lambert Simnel, pretender to the throne at Piel Castle.

An author of children's novels and local history books, Gill Jepson also serves as chair of Furness Abbey Fellowship, which works in partnership with English Heritage to look after Furness Abbey.

Secrets of Barrow-in-Furness pays special attention to the role of the abbey in the town's great history.

Mrs Jepson said: "We talk about all the usual landmarks and, of course, you can't do a history of Barrow book without mentioning Furness Abbey.

"I've delved into the distant past there and at other local finds.

"The book is all about the things people have forgotten. There's a lot of great historical things still there, you just need to look closely at them."

The abbey also boasts a royal link in its history.

Mrs Jepson said: "Furness Abbey is massively important in the town's history. It was the second largest and influential abbey at the time, and also the first large abbey to be dissolved by Henry VIII.

"It was so rich and powerful it was able to run the whole area for 500 years. The impact it had can't be underestimated.

"A lot of what we have now is down to what happened in those early days. It's so very important but it's not as well known as it should be."

As well as her passionate love of history, Mrs Jepson also boasts a teaching background, and is currently a Patron of Reading, encouraging youngsters to read more with regular school visits.

For over a year she has worked as a patron of reading at a trio of primary schools in the area, with her work focusing on the fantasy worlds around Furness Abbey.

She regularly visits Broughton CE, Lindal and Marton, and Dalton St Mary's CE primary schools to help develop the pupils' love of reading.

She said: "I've been doing talks in schools since 2011, but I've been a patron of reading now for around 18 months.

"In essence schools adopt an author to come in, sit with the children and give talks about their books and writing. It promotes books through reading and activities."

The patron of reading is a school's dedicated children's author, poet, storyteller or illustrator aimed at creating a buzz around books and reading.