A KEIGHLEY poisoner features in a new book of historical stories from Airedale.

Tales Of Old Airedale: A Miscellany features 10 true-life tales including that of murderer John Sagar.

Author Lisa Firth also investigated tales stretching across the West Riding, including the Cottingley Fairies, the ‘new Eden’ of Saltaire, hangman James Berry, and the “Bingley Byron” John Nicholson.

The writer said: “My book investigates historical stories which are notable for being little-known, quirky or unusual.”

She said the trial of Sagar, accused of poisoning his wife, shocked Victorian Yorkshire to its core.