Mick Aston talks about industrial archaeology and how he enjoyed making the programme: 'I've got to say that I like the early industrial stuff. However, I have thought for many years that the traditional theory of the Industrial Revolution starting in the 18th century was a bit dodgy.'

Why's that?
'There were just so many inventions and innovations going on in the 1600s! People were willing to try anything. It's true that they didn't get into mass production, urbanisation and slums, but they did start the wheels turning. I'm also a bit suspicious about the fact that every important industrial centre in 19th-century Britain has a Cistercian abbey in the middle of it. Maybe the roots for this whole movement into industry originate as early as the 15th century.'

So you think that monks could have started the industrial ball rolling?
'Monasteries were already working away on various projects like metalworking, driven by influential bailiffs and the like. I think the whole idea of industrial-scale manufacture could have been fermenting in those early times. When the dissolution of the monasteries happens people start buying up the monastic sites with established workshops, kilns and even furnaces in rare cases. I've just got this sneaking suspicion that the whole thing could have started developing that early. However, having said that, I'm sure that the big push really does happen in the 17th century. That's the catalyst.'

Did you enjoy making the Leighton programme?
'I thought it was great. I like my industrial archaeology clean and rural. I did a lot of work on both parts of the reconstruction cameo and learnt a few new things along the way. I think I can safely say that it was a good programme to do. I certainly enjoyed it.'