Once the industrial heartland of Britain, it was synonymous with the soot that bellowed from the chimneys of the many factories and foundries that darkened the landscape.

For over a century its inexorable decline has dovetailed with that of British manufacturing. But the area has been revitalised by the various immigrant groups that have moved into the area; communities from the old commonwealth, from India, Pakistan and the west Indies, but also a newer influx from many parts of the world, from Eastern Europe, Somalia and many others.

Martin Parr turns his lens on the often overlooked area...