Preston

Preston, a market-town and municipal and parliamentary borough on the north bank of the Kibble, Lancashire, 27 miles north-east of Liverpool. It attained some importance as the port of the Ribble in Saxon times, and played a part both in the Great Rebellion and the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745. Its present prosperity, however, dates back to little more than a century ago, when linen-weaving was introduced. Great improvements in the river have tended to develop a. large shipping trade, especially in coal, and, as a centre of railway and canal traffic, Preston possesses unrivalled advantages. There are excellent public buildings. Three spacious parks afford means of recreation. The borough returns two members to Parliament.