IT was a feeling of deja vu that led a Chesham historian to start a campaign to help bring pride back to the town.

John Healey, of Partridge Close, got the inspiration for his idea from the mother of his long-term lodger. Mrs Lilley-Taylor, from Oxford, who came to visit her daughter and, after experiencing a strange sense of deja vu, she eventually realised she'd been to Chesham as an evacuee.

The historian was so taken with the story that he has decided to start investigating more stories of Chesham's wartime past.

He believes Chesham has suffered too much bad press in recent years and is looking forward to working on a project that he believes will put the town in a positive light.

The 40-year-old historian is working on a study that looks at life in Chesham during the Second World War and is trying to gather information on the experiences of people evacuated to the town during the war.

He hopes the recollections will revive a town's proud identity which, he feels, Chesham is in danger of losing.

Mr Healey said: "The whole point is to use the wartime association to start a campaign to draw positive attention to Chesham."

He hopes that his work will eventually be displayed at the Chiltern Open Air Museum in nearby Chalfont St Giles.

Mr Healey is a strong believer in fighting for the interests of the community and is upset at the loss of Chesham Hospital, stores in the high street and the possible sale of part of the Tube's Metropolitan Line.

Mr Healey, who also campaigns against mobile phone masts, said: " We've lost our inner prowess as a town and if you don't take an interest in your community it's possible that it will disappear. We've got to stop the rot somehow and looking at our history is the best place to start."

Mr Healey would like to hear from anyone who was, or knows of someone who was, evacuated to Chesham during the war.

You can contact him on 01494 794691