A new book featuring tales of murder and mayhem in Keighley in the late 1800s has landed at a book store.

"Yorkshire -- the Sinister Side", which is being sold at Reids Bookshop in Cavendish Street, includes hundreds of true stories from the violent Victorian towns in Yorkshire between 1850 and 1880.

Crime in cities and towns such as Bradford, Wakefield, Leeds and Huddersfield are recounted in gruesome detail.

There are two stories about Keighley. The first tells of Mary Watson, who gave evidence at Keighley Police Court against her husband, William, who had threatened to "knock her block off" since joining the Christadel-phians

The other is about the gruesome murder of Sarah Terry, whose body was discovered in the stable of Green House Farm, in February, 1864. She was six months pregnant, and the 35-year-old's head had been almost completely severed from her body -- a large gaping wound extending from one ear to the breast.

The book includes a range of tales about people from the Bradford district and has prints of photographs which have never been published before.

Author Steve Jones, from Nottingham, has spent most of the last year in libraries across Yorkshire compiling the book.

The 52-year-old former French teacher said: "I first became interested in the subject when I was asked by my brother to write a Jack the Ripper guide for a coach tour. In 1984 the book sold and sold and sold, and it's now in its 13th print.

"When we released this new one, every bookshop in Leeds sold out.

"I think a lot of people want to know about the history of their town and about their ancestors."

Steve has written 13 other books about regional crime. His "Birmingham -- The Sinister Side" was number six in the Birmingham Post's top ten books.

Steve has published all the books himself and has sold more than 275,000 copies worldwide.

"Yorkshire -- The Sinister Side" is available from Reids Bookshop for £8.99.