A BOLTON-born author returned to his roots to launch a book charting the history of a popular town centre pub's crest.

Malcolm Howe signed copies of his book, Death of the Grim Reaper -- the Pilkington Crest, which discusses the origins of the crest used to identify the Olde Man and Scythe pub in Churchgate.

Several of the country's most ancient families have laid claim to the crest, leading author Mr Howe to conduct a study into its origins.

He was joined by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Prentice Howarth, who received a copy of the book at the pub, alongside licensees John and Jaycee Jewitt.