A new book, Nails, Noggins and Newels, An Alternative History of Every House, poses a problem for Herefordshire writer Bill Laws - where were our first fitted kitchens made?

"The fitted kitchen was invented in America in the 1900s by time and motion experts who wanted to make the kitchen more efficient," said Bill.

"Here in the UK, no-one was greatly fussed about the idea until Second World War workers stopped making munitions and turned to making kitchens.

"There was a factory in Warwickshire which made the first English Rose kitchens and I did talk to some former workers but the old records have been lost.

"Although these retro-kitchens have become trendy, their history seems to have slipped away."

Bill came up with the idea for Nails, Noggins and Newels having learnt that the paper frieze (border) we paste up on our walls was invented by a Roman who died more than 2,000 years ago.

"It whetted my appetite to find out more of the secrets that lie behind the four walls of our homes," said Bill, whose book also reveals the true story of the Aga saga and the triumph of Mr Shank's first flushing loo.

Bill will be signing copies of Nails, Noggins and Newels - An Alternative History of Every House (£14.99) at Waterstones bookshop in Commercial Street, Hereford on Saturday at 10am.

His Spade, Skirret and Parsnip: the Curious History of Vegetables will also be on sale.