SPA water that could help ease skin conditions and rival the taste of water from Leamington and Harrogate spas was once bottled in Little Paxton. The village s spa history – and the healing properties of its waters – is explored in a new DVD looking at th

SPA water that could help ease skin conditions and rival the taste of water from Leamington and Harrogate spas was once bottled in Little Paxton.

The village's spa history - and the healing properties of its waters - is explored in a new DVD looking at the history of St Neots and the surrounding areas.

The spa was officially opened on Whit Monday in 1895 at the town's paper mill.

The water, which rose from a depth of 300ft, was said to make excellent table water and contain "valuable medical properties" but like all good things "should be taken in moderation".

Experts who tested the water alleged it was a valuable cure for skin diseases - Mr T Poyntz Wright, a fellow of the British Institute of Public Health, recommended it for "cases of torpid liver, constipation and dyspepsia".

It is not know exactly when the spa ran dry but all that remains today is a trickle of muddy water.

The actual opening of the spa is featured on the St Neots Two DVD.

Produced by Angela Seward, who lives in Southoe, the DVD includes snippets of history from the 1800s to 1900s.

Mrs Seward told The Hunts Post: "This DVD allows people to reminisce back through time. The pictures have been carefully restored and computer wizardry allows the viewer 'to look inside' the pictures and see the town and its people from times past."

As well as St Neots and Little Paxton, the DVD includes the Eatons and Eynesbury.

The DVD uses digitally enhanced black and white photographs together with animation to bring the history to the small screen.

Pictures show the remains of a German Dornier shot down over Eaton Socon in 1940, and people ice skating on the River Great Ouse in 1891. The DVD also features the Eynesbury Giant, the town's first carnival queen and the fire that destroyed St Mary's Church, Eaton Socon in 1930.

The fire broke out in a heating chamber of the church organ. Firefighters from St Neots and Sandy battled the blaze but it destroyed the church, leaving just the vestry, remnants of the walls of the nave and the tower.

INFORMATION: The DVD costs £12 from Barretts in St Neots, St Neots Museum, Brittains and Pope's shoe repairers.