A MEMBER of Stourport Civic Society has gone back in time to detail the history of the town's pubs from the past.

The publication of Stourport Pubs - A Search for their History marks the end of a two and a half year "labour of love" for author, John C Cook.

He explained: " It has taken me a long time but I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. I did everything, the writing, research, design, pictures and I even drew pen and ink drawings of the pubs that I couldn't get photographs for."

The 66 year-old Bewdley resident sometimes spent 12 hours a week "trawling" through archives to gather information.

The book tells the story of around 65 pubs from yesteryear, with the earliest being dated at 1744.

"The initial plan was to try and do six pubs but when I started I thought I would do the lot because the information was at hand," said the author.

Mr Cook, a retired housing officer, grew up in Stourport and described the Wyre Forest area as "the best place in the country to live".

Civic society secretary, Jill Fairbrother Millis, described the book as an "important piece of historical research".

Several of the 200 copies printed have already been sold, with all money raised going towards helping causes supported by the civic society.

The book is available from Mr Clean-Calls in High Street, Stourport. For more information, call the civic society on 01299 827625.