WHAT have TV personality Bob Holness, cookery writer Mrs Beeton and Nazi ambassador Joachim von Ribbentrop got in common? The answer is that they have all lived in Pinner, and the story of their lives and more can be found in a new book published by the Pinner Local History Society.

"Pinn Six: Pinner Celebrities since 1670" contains 23 portraits of celebrated village residents, from Victorian cartoonist William Heath Robinson to musical knight Sir Elton John. Not all of them are household names, but many of them deserve to be remembered in their own particular fields. Entries on England hockey captain Hilda Light, antarctic photographer Alfred Saunders and jazz pianist George Shearing all make interesting reading. There are even historical diversions on two little-known 18th century figures buried in Pinner: William Skenelsby, who was reputedly 118 years old when he died, and Jeremiah Blissard, who, along with his wife, were the first Africans to live in the area.

Many of the places and landmarks mentioned in the book will be familiar to locals who may not realise their relevance. Von Ribbentrop's former house, for example, lies on South View Road on Pinner Hill. He chose to live there as a peaceful retreat ahead of the official amabassador's residence in St.James's, although spying on military installations in Northolt could also have been a motivation. The house was later home to Hermann Goering's sister, and inspired scene in an Agatha Christie novel which featured a German spy.

Edited by Patricia Clarke and priced at £6, "Pinn Six" is the sixth in a series of local books produced by Pinner Local History Society since 1983. They have also brought out several volumes of history and reminiscences including "When I was a Child", "Pinner Chalk Mines" and "Pinner to Paradise". The latest book was the idea of the late Jim Golland, former teacher at Harrow School. It was completed in his memory and includes some of his original work.

The society meet regularly on Thursdays for talks and presentations in Pinner Village Hall. For more information, call secretary Beryl Newton on 020 8866 3372.