THE diary of a young Englishman who travelled throughout Europe in the early 19th century is being brought to life by a Stourbridge author.

Renowned history writer Pat Dunn has been editing the diary, which was discovered following a fire in Wollescote in 1814, for the past 12 years.

Entitled ‘Diary of a Young Englishman’, the book provides a true-life telling of one man’s travels across western Europe.

Pat, who has written numerous books about the history of Lye and Wollescote, said: “Nothing is known about the person whose diary it is. All that we had to go off was the initials FIA written in gold.

“His life was very interesting as he travelled around Belgium, Holland, Germany and France, but tit would be great to know exactly this person was.

“For the last 12 years I have been working on editing the diary and I am very pleased that it has now gone to publication.”

The book – priced at £4.50 – is being launched this Saturday (November 7) at Christ Church, in Lye’s High Street at 10am, where refreshments will be available.

Local historical researcher Ray Griffiths praised the book. He said: “Pat has been working on the book for so long and what she has discovered is fascinating.

“It gives a real sense of what life was like over 200 years ago.”