TODAY Millbrook is part of Southampton's urban sprawl, home to thousands of families, a commercial and industrial centre on the edge of the docks and a network of busy roads full of traffic heading in and out of the city - but it was not always like this.

In past decades Millbrook was a more tranquil place, a village side-by-side with the countryside, where locals enjoyed a rural way of life.

It is this picture of Millbrook, together with dozens of other fascinating aspects of the community, which is highlighted in the latest book by local historian and author, Rosaleen Wilkinson.

Millbrook - The Hidden Past takes an in depth look of this area of Southampton, revealing its history, characters, church and school life, its role in the Second World War and more recent developments. Scores of rare and nostalgic photographs together with many specially collected personal memories all help to trace the heritage and past times of Millbrook.

The author even describes what the area must have been like in the prehistoric age when, according to the evidence of remains found in and around Millbrook, mammoths and early man roamed the land.

However it is reminiscences of Millbrook within living memory which underline the many dramatic changes this area of Southampton has undergone.

"Millbrook bears little resemblance to the country village it once was,'' says the author.

"It was a close-knit community with an identity of its own. People did the things you expect villagers to have done.

"They went to church, there were summer fetes and Christmas bazaars and children played in the fields, watched the village blacksmith or helped on the farm.

"The parish magazine kept villagers up to date with local events and parochial announcements.

"In the 1930s, before there was any National Health, the services of a parish nurse were available free to all parishioners.

"In 1936 the scheme was reorganised and a contribution of one halfpenny per week was required for those wishing to participate.

"The Millbrook Dramatic Society was performing Nothing but the Truth at the Church House while at the Christmas bazaar 16s (80p) was raised by Madame Suzette telling fortunes, £10 8s (£10.40) by Miss Francis on the fancy stall and 19s 5d (97p) by Miss Paul on the hoop-la stand.

"The magazine reflects a comfortable and secure way of life which seems to have disappeared in the 21st century.''

Further back in time the book recalls the early days of Millbrook School which can trace its roots back to the 1820s.

Extracts, written by the head teacher in the 1860's, from the school's official log book give an insight in the daily life and attitudes of the families in Millbrook at the time.

"May 15, 1863. My daily experience in school teaching on this place is certainly not encouraging, what with my pupils being irregular in attendance, the offspring of illiterate parents and naturally more un-intellectual, results are slow in presenting themselves.

September 12, 1864. Numbers thin, children absent gathering blackberries, and other in picking acorns. Friday is always the worst day for attendance in the week and it is difficult to alter it, the parents not caring for the children's education to admit of a stringent rule.''

During the Second World War the Millbrook area played its part, especially in the preparations for the D-Day invasions of June, 1944. Shrouded in strict secrecy the huge sections of the Mulberry harbours, huge man-made structures used by the allied forces to land, vehicles and stores on the Normandy beaches, were constructed in the King George V graving dock in Millbrook. A large American encampment appeared on Green Park in Millbrook, the War Office requisitioned Millbrook Recreation Ground, tank traps and a guard post appeared in Millbrook Road and more "dragon's teeth'' were positioned in Oakley Road.

Millbrook - The Hidden Past is written and published by Rosaleen Wilkinson and is available from the Shirley, Millbrook, Lordshill and Central libraries in Southampton and at the Daily Echo shop in Hanover Buildings priced £9.99.