A FASCINATING book about Reading's rich history will be available to buy soon.

Full of historical detail, insight and many excellent illustrations, Reading: A History is 350 pages of fascinating reading.

Local historian Joan Dils takes readers from the Iron Age to the computer age, from the earliest evidence of life to the modern, culturally and economically vibrant town of today.

Over the centuries, the biggest town in England has become famous for a variety of surprising reasons.

Its abbey was once one of the wealthiest in England, and it made Reading influential across Europe.

The extensive ruins attract many visitors.

The town is also the burial place of King Henry I and has had many royal visitors, including Edward III and Elizabeth I.

Woollen cloth, beer, seeds and biscuits are just some of the products for which the town is well known.

Charles Dickens, Charles Wesley and of course, Oscar Wilde, have graced the town with their presence.

Reading: A History will be published on October 21, and will be available from most booksellers.