WOMEN from Northwich have been investigating the history of taps and toilets in the town as part of a national campaign.

Northwich and District Soroptomist International has been researching improvements in sanitation in Northwich as part of WaterAid's Big History Project.

The project encourages clubs and groups across the UK to explore the history of taps and toilets in their area.

Soroptomist members carried out research at the County Records Office, Weaver Hall Museum, the Edwardian Pumping Station and Northwich Library, discovering how vital sewers and indoor water taps were to the development of the town.

Penny Clarke, Soroptimist International Northwich president, said: "In the 21st century we take for granted that everyone in Northwich will have an indoor flush toilet, safe drinking water and hot running water for washing.

"But as recently as the 1940's many houses in Northwich had a non-flush toilet.

"Once a week the night soil men would come and collect the contents and take it away.

"Today, in many parts of the developing world, even this would be a luxury.

"WaterAid believes everyone, everywhere can have clean water and sanitation by 2030.

"Our research will help build up a picture of how the UK came to have universal access to water and sanitation."

Sewers were built in Northwich by the Victorians but initially discharged raw sewage into the River Weaver, doing nothing to improve the levels of pollution or water borne disease.

The Wallerscote Sewage Works was opened in 1902, and in 1913 Northwich Urban District Council built the Pumping Station on Dock Road, next to the River Weaver.

This intercepted the raw sewage and pumped it to the Wallerscote Sewage Works for treatment.

The group also found out about the impact of the Big Flood in 1946, when 256 houses and 70 shops were flooded.

For more information about the WaterAid project visit wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/big-history-project