VISITORS to Elmley Castle on the slopes of Bredon Hill often ask the whereabouts of the castle - but surprisingly few people know very much about it.

Now David Phillips, who has lived in the village for many years, has written a booklet The Castle at Elmley, which will help people with its history.

"Elmley seems so nonchalant about its castle," Mr Phillips said. "Many residents appear unaware that a castle even existed, let alone where it is."

He explained: "There are reasons for this. First of all it is on private land, so you just cannot go and wander as you please.

"Secondly, if you do visit the site there are just the banks and ditches of the ancient hill fort to be seen. The few pieces of stonework are hard to find."

In all of the time Mr Phillips has lived in the village the history of the place has been a source of fascination to him.

"In writing this book I have tried to show how the castle fitted in with the history of the village, and indeed with the wider history of the country at large," he said.

The remains of the iron age hill fort are on the summit of Castle Hill, some 120m above the village.

Nearly 3,000 years on, the earthworks are still there, though in their original state the banks would have been much higher and the ditches deeper.

Mr Phillips traces the history of the castle through all its highs and lows and the various families who were responsible for it.

One of the best known local stories about the castle at Elmley is the part it played in the Battle of Evesham in 1265 between the army of King Henry III and Simon de Montfort, who was leading the barons.

The Beauchamps were at that time at Elmley Castle and supported the King, whose army was led by Prince Edward.

From the excellent viewpoint of the castle, Simon's movements were clearly visible as he marched from Pershore to Evesham, probably crossing the Beauchamp estate.

The information was passed to Edward who was able to trap de Montfort's men in the loop of the Avon at Evesham and slaughter most of them.

But there is much more to Elmley Castle up to the 16th Century when records show it was in ruins and being used as a convenient source of dressed stone, which continued into the 17th Century. Some of it is still in evidence in the central arch of the old bridge over the Avon at Pershore.

According to Mr Phillips, there would appear to be no further records. Apart from the remains of the hill fort and a few pieces of stonework, nothing is left of the castle.

The Castle at Elmley is available at Elmley Castle post office or from Mr Phillips at Wavereley, Elmley Castle, Pershore, WR10 3HS.

The booklet costs £4.