INTRODUCING LEEK

Situated close to the head of the Churnet river in North Staffordshire and on the southern uplands of the Pennines, Leek is built on the slopes and crown of a hill surrounded by some of the finest hill, moor and dale scenery to be found in this part of the North Midlands. Much of the town stands at or over the 600 ft. contour and it is close, on the north and east sides, to the even higher country that is now within the Peak District National Park.

Often described glowingly as the "Queen of the Moorlands". It has had a lengthy history and retains a number of old and interesting buildings. It retains, too, its essential character as a market town serving a wide area although it grows in importance as a residential area. Numerous bus services link it with the rest of Staffordshire and much of nearby Derbyshire, Cheshire and Manchester.

Leek has long been linked with the textile industry but, in recent times, has seen silk replaced by man-made fibres although links with the original industry are retained through the dyeing and finishing trade.