A LOVE of walking on Bredon Hill which started when he first moved to the area more than 30 years ago prompted Joe Aspey to write a book of walks starting from his home village of Ashton-under-Hill.

Having taken on the job of parish footpath warden, he said he was amazed at the number of people who beat a path to his door asking where the footpaths were. That, and hearing that St Barbara's Church was in need of funds, concentrated his mind on completing the book.

The book also marks the end of a project, sponsored by Worcestershire County Council and carried out by The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens, to repair or renew the stiles, gates and signposts on the footpaths and bridleways in the parish.

Mr Aspey said: "The closure of the hill due to foot-and-mouth disease for such a long time last year held up the book and the work on the footpaths but the closure made me value the paths and inspired me even more to complete the book."

Alongside descriptions of the walks, which range from one mile to 10 miles, are snippets of local history and illustrations by John Dodge, also of Ashton-under-Hill, and, like Mr Aspey, a Voluntary Cotswold Warden.

The book costs £4 and is available from Mr Aspey on 01386 881539 or John Dodge on 01386 881487. Proceeds are for St Barbara's Church.