Spotlight on county's offbeat history

strange stories and odd events are included in a book about life in West Yorkshire.

Curious Tales from West Yorkshire includes stories about witches, hermits, strange traditions, riots and unusual characters who have lived in the West Riding.

The story of the Halifax Gibbet, which was used as a guillotine between 1541 and 1650, is among the A-Z of tales. A total of 42 men and six women were guillotined in the town.

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The ultimate punishment was imposed for the theft of goods valued at more than thirteen and a half pence, the book notes.

One thief who escaped the gibbet at the last moment, unwisely returned to Halifax seven years later and was not so lucky the second time. The final criminal to lose his life at the Halifax gibbet is recorded as having stolen some cloth drying on tenterframes. The original blade is preserved at the Bankfield Museum in Halifax.

Also included are characters such as the Hermit of Rombald's Moor, various witches and the "prophet" James Wore.

Author Howard Peach says the West Riding is "prime homeland" for eccentrics and "characters".

The book is published by The History Press, price 12.99.