FOLLOWING his "photo essay" on the Malvern Hills, a Stoke Lacy photographer's new subject is further afield.

Archie Miles has just published Cotswold Moods, a collection of around 140 images, mostly taken during the eight years he lived in the area.

The book picks up on the popularity of The Malvern Hills and Westward which has hit bookshelves of thousands of homes since its launch last September.

"They're sort of similar except the Malvern book is more of a photo essay including bits of my poetry," said Mr Miles.

He raided his library of around 250,000 images to catch the special atmosphere of the area but also went back to the region for extra shots.

"The publishers came to me knowing I'd spent a substantial time in the Cotswolds and must have amassed a particularly spectacular array of transparencies.

"I think a lot of it is fairly timeless although in one or two pictures, where I'd photographed things like old barns, they've been turned into luxury homes! I've had to explain that in the captions."

Mr Miles' time in the Cotswolds preceded his move to Stoke Lacy 12 years ago.

"The lifestyle here's so laid back," said Mr Miles. "I used to live and work in London and there's a dramatic difference between the two. Nothing would tempt me back to the city."

From Stoke Lacy Mr Miles is now co-ordinating plans for his next book, based on trees in Scotland, and selling parts of his quarter-million image library to the press and publishers.

Even after 30 years as a professional photographer, Mr Miles' enthusiasm for the job remains undiminished.

He said: "The day I stop enjoying it is the day I stop. My work is my hobby and there's always the excitement of tracking down new subjects."