THE rise and fall of Kidderminster's carpet barons' stately mansions is charted in a new book by town author Nigel Gilbert.

Many of the great mansions which graced the area around the town in the 19th and early 20th century are now gone and their legacy forgotten.

Ridiculous Refinement recalls them from obscurity, throwing light on a fascinating part of Kidderminster's past.

The book opens in 1756 when the entire Kidderminster population of a few thousand lived, whatever their rank, within a short distance of the Bull Ring and High Street.

Concern about the insanitary conditions prompted an exodus of the wealthy to areas including Bewdley Hill, Franche Road, Habberley and Blakebrook.

The period, Mr Gilbert, of Tynings Close, observes, was the opening of a 'class divide', something he says was reflected in the many industrial disputes of the 19th century.

He adds: "This time was hard for the most part for the ordinary weaver, while many of the masters lived in luxury in their country mansions."

The first true mansion to be built outside the town by a carpet manufacturer was The Lakes, built by John Lea in 1802 on the fields along Franche Road.

"Sales particulars from 1919 give an idea of the quality of living Lea enjoyed, On the first floor was a large landing from which access was given to eight bedrooms."

The Lakes was demolished in the mid-1940s and its "extensive and dry cellars" are now filled in and lie somewhere under the Woodland Avenue estate.

Even more impressive was Broomfield House, also now gone, which was built soon after, also on Lower Franche Road, and which included a double coach house, stabling, vineries, melonpits, offices, a brewery, as well as walled pleasure and kitchen gardens.

About 30 grand mansions were built in the heyday but economic depression in the 1830s the advent of new technology signalled an end to the glory days.

Many firms went out of business and more weavers emigrated.