An illustrated lecture in a popular series organised by the Friends of St Saviour’s in St Albans is being held next Thursday, October 22.

Dr Michael Elves will be talking about Riotous London - the Gordon Riots of 1780, a terror England has chosen to forget, from 7.30pm at the Sandpit Lane church..

He said: “London has been the scene of a number of riots over the centuries, from the Peasants Revolt in the 14th Century to the Poll Tax and Tottenham Riots in our own time.

“By far the most violent were the Gordon Riots of the late 18th Century, which began as anti-Catholic protests against a new law to emancipate Catholics as a way of boosting recruitment into the British army. The protests evolved into rioting, looting and major property damage.”

Admission is free and refreshments are available.