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Twelve programmes across ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ English Regions reveal England's historical turning points in A History Of The World on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One, Monday 17 May at 7.30pm.

As part of the pan-³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ project A History Of The World, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One is broadcasting 12 regional programmes across ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ English Regions on Monday 17 May at 7.30pm.

Each of the programmes looks at a significant turning point in that area's history and shows how the change continues to resonate through objects or the landscape.

The landmark ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4 series A History Of The World In 100 Objects also returns on Monday 17 May at 9.45am.

The Birth Of Steam (South West)

Adam Hart-Davis discovers how a Baptist preacher from Dartmouth worked out how to get energy from steam – and in doing so helped provide the power for the industrial revolution.

Unlocking The Midlands (West Midlands)

Chris Tarrant discovers how James Brindley's invention of a slim-line lock enabled the creation of a huge network of canals and waterways across Britain. Canals connected the industrial Midlands to the sea, allowing the industrial revolution to spread across the globe.

King Alfred... The Great? (South)

Lucy Worsley tells how King Alfred did much more than allowing some cakes to burn – he united the "English" against a common enemy and revolutionised the country's legal system and military structure. But was he really as great as his reputation suggests?

Brighton – The First Resort (South East)

Suggs traces how Brighton changed from a small fishing village to a fashionable holiday destination, and became the template for seaside resorts across the world.

Suffragette City (London)

Sheila Hancock looks at how the unprecedented actions of middle- and upper-class women sent shockwaves across Britain and around the world.

Ploughs, Cows And Clover (East)

Chris Beardshaw traces the myriad inventions that changed agriculture for ever. He discovers that it was the skills of ordinary village craftsmen, and not wealthy landowners, that revolutionised farming across the world.

The Man Who Shrank The Globe (East Midlands)

Jem Stansfield discovers how the work of Frank Whittle led to the creation of the jet engine, making the whole world a much smaller place.

Jenner's Marvellous Medicine (West)

Professor Mark Horton tells the story of Edward Jenner, whose work saved billions of lives and eventually led to the eradication of smallpox.

A Tale Of Two Rival Cities (North West)

Stuart Maconie traces how Manchester and Liverpool have been at the heart of industrial, political and technological revolutions which have shaped the world we live in today. He tells the story of the close, dependent relationship between the cities and reveals how it developed into a bitter rivalry.

Towton – 1461 (North)

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary shows how the Battle of Towton changed the course of the Wars of the Roses, and led to more deaths on British soil than any other battle in British history.

Cumbria's Atomic Pioneers (North East)

Stuart Maconie tells the story of Calder Hall, the world's first nuclear power station, which provided Britain with electricity – and weapons-grade plutonium – for nearly half a century.

The Clock That Changed The World (Yorks and Lincs)

The age of modern timekeeping began in Lincolnshire 300 years ago. Adam Hart-Davis brings to life the story of how we got from some wooden clocks near Grimsby, to the superiority of British ships on the high seas, to Satnav.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ English Regions Head of Programming, Craig Henderson, said: "These programmes highlight the great ingenuity shown by people from all parts of the country – and the contributions they made in helping shape the world.

"From Frank Whittle's work on the jet engine in the East Midlands to James Brindley's canal lock in the West Midlands, the programmes feature a range of world-shaping objects, and offer a fitting climax to the part the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ English Regions have played in the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s A History Of The World partnership."

All 12 programmes will be available to watch after broadcast via ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ iPlayer.

Notes to Editors

A History Of The World is a unique partnership between the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, the British Museum and 425 museums and institutions across the country.

At its heart is a landmark series on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4, A History Of The World In 100 Objects, returning on Monday 17 May at 9.45am. The series, broadcast throughout 2010 in three tranches, is written and presented by Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum. It features 100 objects from the British Museum's collection and taps in to the unique power of objects to tell stories and make connections across the globe. All ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4 programmes broadcast to date are available to listen again via the A History Of The World website bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld.

The project also includes large-scale activity across the Nations and English regions, an exciting and interactive digital proposition at bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld; plus an invitation to audiences to offer objects they own to create a unique digital museum online.

The important legacy of A History Of The World will be secured through the website and through the work and partnerships across the Nations and English Regions.

NL2