WHEN bad weather hit Derbyshire yesterday, Philip Holland new exactly what phrase to use – "it's flinkerin' wi snow up in the Peak".

It means that it's beginning to snow in the Peak District – said in Derbyshire dialect.

Sadly, this and other such phrases as "As lesh as a pig trough", which should be said to a loved one and means "you're attractive", are not being heard as often these days.

But former dairy farmer Philip, 58, would love for the phrases to be heard across the county again.

Philip has been carrying out research into the subject as part of his degree at the University of Derby.

He found that the influence of other dialects and radio and television have all but driven out the broad Derbyshire dialect that has been a feature of the north of the county for centuries.

Philip, whose family have farmed at Earl Sterndale for years, has now put his research into a book and hopes phrases such as "Ay, surrey, owart?", said when greeting a friend, have been given new life.

Words of the White Peak is proving a hit with young and old and 250 copies have already been sold.

Philip said he felt like he was on a one-man mission to rescue the words, phrases and pronunciations of the Peak District.

His links with sheep farming might lead him to utter the words "hummerin' fer lambin" which would be said on spotting a ewe about to give birth.

But Philip has hopes that the dialect is not dead and buried and that there is a revival in local language.

He said: "I interviewed 150 people ranging from nine to 88 years. It's interesting that regional ways of speaking are very popular at the moment.

"You only have to listen to the BBC to realise that accents are in vogue. However, local dialects are more or less gone.

"I'm Derbyshire born and bred and I want to ensure some of the language that I grew up with is preserved for future generations."

Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2003, Philip, who lives in Buxton, passed on the farm he ran at the time to his brother.

Teresa Barnard, university senior lecturer in English, said: "Philip's rich and varied life experiences added so much energy and creativity to his classes.

"Also he has a remarkable knowledge of Peak District culture and custom."

An introduction to the book by the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire says: "The richness of a fast disappearing vocabulary is fascinating to people only accustomed to voices and words heard on the radio and television."