START the New Year with a trip back to the 1850s and beyond in the company of history's most compelling minority groups.

Fresh from their sold-out run in 2006, academics at the University of Chester return this January and February with the traditional lunch-time lecture series and an enthralling look back through time.

This winter's series, entitled Minorities in History, begins on January 10 when Protestant non-conformists in 17th Century England come under the spotlight, followed by an examination of 18th Century Jacobitism on January 17.

On January 24 there will be a lecture entitled For God and Ireland: Irish and Ulster Unionism, followed by a look at the Irish in 19th Century Britain on January 31 and the Afro-American experience from 1850 to the present day on February 7.

Dr Ronald Barr, the University's Head of History and Archaeology, said: 'The public lecture series has become increasingly popular over time.

'We think the series is valuable because it helps promote the department and the University and also strengthens our links with the local community.

'This series will be all about different minority groups and their experiences throughout history.

'We chose that theme because the University is on a diversity awareness drive and we thought it would be a nice idea if we followed that agenda.'

The lectures will be held at the Blue Coat School in Upper Northgate Street between 1pm and 2pm.