Christmas Tracing Services

Blackburn Detectives have been operating in Blackburn and the North West for almost 20 years.

• Since the 1950s the town has experienced significant levels of migration, particularly from India and Pakistan, and consequently has the third highest proportion of Muslims in England and Wales and the highest in the United Kingdom outside London.
• Blackburn is a large industrial town in Lancashire, England.
• Blackburn lies to the north of the West Pennine Moors on the southern edge of the Ribble Valley, 8.9 miles (14.3 km) east of the city of Preston, and 21 miles (34 km) north-northwest of the city of Manchester.
• Blackburn is bounded to the south by Darwen, with which it forms the unitary authority area of Blackburn with Darwen.
• At the time of the UK Government's 2001 census, Blackburn had a population of 105,085.
• A former mill town, textiles have been produced in Blackburn since the middle of the 13th century, when wool was woven in people's houses in the domestic system.
• Flemish weavers who settled in the area during the 14th century helped to develop the woollen cottage industry in the region.
• The most rapid period of growth and development in Blackburn's history coincided with the industrialisation and expansion of textile manufacturing.
• Blackburn was a boomtown of the Industrial Revolution, and amongst the first industrialised towns in the world.
• Blackburn's textile sector fell into a terminal decline from the mid-20th century.
• Blackburn has subsequently faced similar challenges to other post-industrial northern towns, including deindustrialisation, economic deprivation and housing issues.
• Blackburn has had significant investment and redevelopment in the past 60 years by monies from government and the European Regional Development Fund.
• Blackburn stands 401 feet (122 m) above sea level, 8.9 miles (14.3 km) east of Preston and 21 miles (34 km) north-northeast of Manchester.
• The Ribble Valley and West Pennine Moors lie to Blackburn north and south respectively.
• Blackburn experiences a temperate maritime climate, like much of the British Isles, with relatively cool summers and mild winters.
• Blackburn is the largest municipality in what is known as East Lancashire.
• Blackburn is bounded on other sides by smaller towns, including Accrington to the east and Darwen to the south.
• The village of Wilpshire, is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of Blackburn, and forms part of the blackburn urban area.