Jonathan Bellamy charts the history of Britain's Nelson Word and talks to the label's Ian Hamilton.

1974 The Word Record Club begins. Releases: Help It Along (Cliff Richard), Wanda Jackson, Water To Wine Band.

1975 Chuck Girard visits Filey Crusade. Word signs distribution deals with Solid Rock and Sparrow. Tours: If My People. Releases: Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, The Talbot Brothers, 2nd Chapter Of Acts.

1976 Best sellers: Dave Pope, 2nd Chapter Of Acts, Evie, Andrae Crouch, Nutshell, Chuck Girard, Annie Herring, Terry Talbot, Liberation Suite, George Beverly Shea. Staff: 22.

1977 After 50 years signed to EMI Salvation Army join Word. Banners & Bonnets label formed. First release Festival Of Sounding Praise - 1000 voice choir recorded at the Royal Albert Hall. Best sellers: Peter Jackson, The Sunbury Junior Singers, Burl Ives, Pat Boone, Ralph Carmichael, Barry McGuire, John Michael Talbot. Releases: Amy Grant (first album at 16 years old), Keith Green - For Him Who Has Ears.

1978 Staff: 24. Tours: Andrae Crouch. Releases: The Witness, Jimmy and Carol Owens, Billy Graham Crusade, Music Machine, Burl Ives, 2nd Chapter Of Acts (Mansion Builder).

1979 New Word location: Berkhamsted. Building officially opened by Cliff Richard and Moira Hamilton. Maranatha! Music signs to Word for distribution. The Praise Series begins. First Spring Harvest, 3000 attend.

1980 Releases: Dave Pope, 2nd Chapter Of Acts - The Roar Of Love, Marjohn Wilkin.

1981 Gospel music on TV. Host Garth Hewitt - Pop Gospel Show. Releases: Joni Eareckson - Joni's Song, Kids' Praise, Dana, Barry McGuire, Evie, 2nd Chapter Of Acts, Pat Boone, Garth Hewitt.

1982 Keith Green releases Songs For The Shepherd. He dies in plane crash with son and daughter. Releases: Bryn Haworth, Resurrection Band, Joni Eareckson, Phil Keaggy. Amy Grant visits Filey, releases Age To Age - all time best selling Christian album.

1983 Releases: Road To Freedom (Garth Hewitt), The Spirit Of Praise, No Longer Strangers (John Michael and Terry Talbot).

1984 Book publishing division re-formed. Staff: 30. Appearances: Steve Taylor at Greenbelt. General market distribution deal signed with CBS. Releases: Come Alive (CWR), Fit For Life (Sue Barnett), The Servant King (Spring Harvest), Walking In The Light (Cliff Richard).

1985 TV Rock Gospel Show screened, Sheila Walsh host. Staff: 48. First releases on CD - Meltdown (Steve Taylor), Wonders Of His Love (Philip Bailey). Rapid growth of export market. Adrian Snell signs to Word. Releases: Feed The Hungary Heart.

1986 Location: Milton Keynes. Officially opened by Cliff Richard. Tours: Sheila Walsh and Steve Taylor. BBC sponsor 'Royal Gospel Gala" at Royal Albert Hall. Artists involved .. . Steve Camp, Steve Green, Deniece Williams, Russ Taff. Releases: It's A Small World (Cliff Richard), Shadowlands (Sheila Walsh), A Morning Like This (Sandi Patti), Alpha And Omega - first UK album on CD.

1987 Premier Magazine launched - to promote sales in direct mail and trade markets. Amy Grant receives award for over 150,000 albums sold. Makes lightening visit to Prince's Trust concert at London's Palladium. Phil And John sign to Word. Releases: Onward Christian Soldiers (Harry Secombe), To Hell With The Devil (Stryper), Where Truth And Justice Meet (Spring Harvest), Awaken Your Power (New Frontiers), Lonely Dancer (Phil And John).