PERSONAL stories from the fascinating history of one of Lancaster's most enduring landmarks are to be brought vividly to life in a new book to be launched this month.

Storey's Story' recreating moments from the history of the Storey Institute is being produced by Lancaster Litfest in partnership with Lancaster City Council and Radio Lancashire.

The book recalls memories from people who studied, worked and visited the building over the last century and includes the truth about pupils peeping through a hole in a wall to spy on nude models in the art class.

The memories have been collected over the last few months in order to produce the book, which also features both new and archive photographs of the building and the people in it.

Specially commissioned new poetry by Jacob Polley and Gael Turnbull is also included.

The book will be launched in the Dukes Theatre Gallery at 4pm next Saturday, November 13, as part of Lancaster's Litfest 04.

People who go to the event will have an opportunity to buy copies for the special price of £4 a £1 saving off the normal retail price.

Festival director Andy Darby says: "This has been a wonderful opportunity to explore the history of the building where Litfest has its home.

"The plans that we have for the next phase of the Storey's life are really exciting and we wanted to celebrate the place that it already holds at the centre of Lancaster's history.

"People have shared some great stories and hearing them has been fascinating as well as fun. I think that this enjoyment really comes across in the book."

When the Storey Institute in Meeting House Lane opened in the 1890s it took its place at the forefront of the advancement of arts technology and science, he says.

Plans are now taking shape to ensure that the building regains its place at the creative centre of arts and science with a new bid to create a creative industries centre within its walls.