A BOOK containing workers' memories of an electrical firm based in Malmesbury has been launched at Athelstan Museum.

Linolite, who were well-known for making shaver lights, opened their factory, Mill Works, on Burnivale, Malmesbury in 1941 and became part of the town's community for more than 50 years. Burnivale is a very narrow lane in the town and lorries found it increasingly hard to get down it. In 1985 they moved to a new factory on Tetbury Hill which has since been bought by Dyson.

The grandson of Linolite founder Alfred Beuttell, Peter, contributed to the book with his story and wrote the introduction as well.

Bill Reed, who compiled the book, spent four years meeting more than 40 former workers of the factories to hear their stories.

He said: "I found the whole process very interesting.

"I found out how invested the company was, both socially and economically, in Malmesbury.

"You don't always see companies become such a pillar in the community like Linolite did. Alfred Beuttell was known as a fair employer to his workers.

"One important thing I found out was there was a lot of affection from workers to the town they lived in. This was also matched by the people living in the town."

The book costs £10 to buy and all proceeds are going towards the volunteer-run Athelstan Museum.

Mr Reed also dedicated the four years to work on an oral history project for the museum. From the new year, audio recordings from the former workers he spoke to will be available on a tablet in the Athelstan.

At its peak, Linolite employed around 300 people, who mainly lived in the town and surrounding villages.

Linolite ceases to exist now after being sold off to an American firm in 1993.

There was a display cabinet installed in the museum to mark the launch until Sunday, when it closed for refurbishment.