HALL I' TH' WOOD Museum's fame is spreading to the continent thanks to the efforts of a Belgian novelist who was inspired by the ancient building.

Writer Diane Verstrynge came across Hall i'th' Wood during a regular visit to Britain and was so delighted with the old house that she has spent several years creating a historical novel centred on it and its previous inhabitants.

Mrs Verstrynge, who teaches English for a living and loves Britain's old buildings so much that she has joined the National Trust, was staying with friends in Warrington six years ago when she first visited Hall i'th' Wood museum.

"The building had a special charm and it attracted me in a special way so I started writing a novel," she said.

Five years ago she met local historian Derek Mills, who has written the history of Hall i'th' Wood and regularly contacted him for help and advice about the historical accuracy of the characters in her book, which she describes as a romantic tragedy. "I tried to keep the history as close as I could but as I am a romantic soul I chose the period 1642-48 and let the Norris family live in the house during the sad times of the Civil War," she said.

The resulting book "Het Huis aan het Bos", (The House near the Woods) is written in Dutch, one of the languages commonly used in Belgium, and has already sold out of its first print run of 500 copies and more are now being produced.

It was officially launched at a reception at the town hall in Lanaken, Belgium hosted by the mayor.

And Mrs Verstrynge hopes that the novel will encourage more Belgians to visit Bolton.

"The thing I would like above all is that they would visit Hall i'th' Wood and admire the work that the people of Bolton did to restore this beautiful building," she said.

The author, who hopes to eventually get her novel translated into English, was in Bolton again this week to present a copy of the book to Derek Mills and plans to continue her regular visits.

"She has probably been to Hall i'th' Wood more times than most people in Bolton," said Mr Mills.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.