A FASCINATING new book exploring the history of villages, churches and pubs of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and the north Cotswolds has proved a hit with Spa residents.

Roy Millar, author of The Village, the Church and the Pub, says he has been inundated with orders from people in Droitwich since being featured in The Wychavon Magazine.

He thinks the book has proved popular because it includes villages only a short drive away from the Spa.

"Most of these places are just 20 or so minutes down the road, so perfect for a trip out. People don't want to spend their time on the roads all the time," said 75-year-old Roy.

He is passionate about villages and reckons he visited more than a thousand of them during the time he worked for an insurance company, before retiring in 1985. Villages featured in the book, which are near to Droitwich include Elmley Castle, Fladbury, Inkberrow and Dumbleton.

A little further afield there is Bishops Frome and Colwall, in Herefordshire, and Bishops Cleeve, Stanton and Upper Slaughter, in Gloucestershire.

Roy offers a fascinating insight into the history of each village, its church and primary pub.

He even offers a comprehensive guide to whether the pub serves food and has entertainment.

"It is really helpful when you visit somewhere to know if the pub serves snacks," he said.

The Malvern man says it has taken a couple of years to research the book and is giving all net profits to Cheltenham's cancer charity the Colbalt Unit Appeal Fund.

It is published by UPSO, however Roy is in the course of taking this over.

Copies of the book are available directly from Roy, priced £9.99 or £11.50 including postage and packing. His address is 9, Morgan Court, Worcester Road, Malvern, WR14 1EX.

Residents can request a signed copy at no extra charge.

Alternatively, they are available from the tourist information offices in Worcester, Great Malvern and Ledbury as well as a number of other retailers, Droitwich Spa Heritage Centre, St Richard's House, Victoria Square, Droitwich, or the publisher on 01905 350841.