A GROUP which celebrates the life and work of a Bromsgrove-born poet has snapped up a rare treasure - a first edition copy of A E Housman's 'A Shropshire Lad'.

The Housman Society treasurer Peter Sisley spotted the find when a member based in America saw it for sale on an Internet site.

It was available from Oxford book shop Blackwell's and the next day, as soon as it opened, Mr Sisley ordered the book which was priced at £1,500 - it was originally sold in 1896 for 2/6 (12.5p).

Last year, the group which exists to promote knowledge and appreciation of A E Housman, bid at auction for a first edition copy of his collection of poems.

Unfortunately, the bidding reac-hed £2,000 which was too much for the society.

Now the group, which boasts 300 members worldwide, is deciding how its newest find will be best displayed.

Just 500 copies of the book were first published all those years ago with 150 going overseas and 350 remaining in this country.

The book of poems was published at Housman's own expense by Kegan Paul, Trubner and Company. Originally, it took two years to sell a copy.

When Housman died on April 3, 1936, he was considered the foremost poet in England.

The Times obituary spoke of his poetry "holding in simple, imperishable perfection of form the simple, imperishable feelings of all humanity."

Mr Sisley says some of the earliest editions could have been lost or destroyed.

He added: "Copies in good condition are now extremely rare and the society considers itself fortunate to have managed to obtain a copy for its membership.

"We have had the book for two weeks now and it is in a beautiful, clean condition and is a real treasure which is wonderful to have, to touch and to read."

Details of membership of the Housman Society are available from its chairman, Jim Page, on (01527) 874136.