CHURCHES in the Vale of Evesham figure prominently in a comprehensive guide to all the Anglican churches in Worcestershire, with no less than five pages devoted to Pershore Abbey.

The book, Churches of Worcestershire, is the work of author Tim Bridges, the collections manager for Worcester City Museums who has lived in the county for many years. He lectures widely on church architecture and history and has gathered together a wealth of information in his book.

"I was working on it for three years," Tim said. "It was a real labour of love and I thoroughly enjoyed doing it."

Introductory chapters tell of the spread of Christianity across Worcestershire and detail the early development of churches.

The major events which affected church building in the county - from new architectural fashions to political upheavals - are detailed to provide a background to the gazetteer that follows. In the same way, a history of the changes in internal layout, and of the architects and craftsmen involved in furnishing, design, carving and stained glass is included.

The core of the book is the gazetteer to the 270 Anglican churches in Worcestershire, allowing it to be used as a guide when exploring the county.

Each entry places the church in its setting - St Mary, Aston Somerville, at the end of a long lane almost hidden from view - describes the church, gives its building history and details main decorations, monuments, glass and any notable features, such as lychgates and crosses.

As such it is an invaluable aid to explaining what the visitor is seeing, and making sure nothing is missed.

Tim, who is a trustee for the Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust, explained: "A lifelong interest in churches has led eventually to the production of this book. It has also come about as a result of lecturing, teaching evening classes and leading guided visits around local churches over the last 12 years."

He said all the historic Anglican churches were included in the text, along with several modern churches where information was readily available. But a number of late 19th century mission chapels, together with 20th century churches built also to function as halls and ecumenical, are not to be found - though Tim acknowledges the significant roles they play in their local communities.

"Mention is made of key historical figures associated with or commemorated in the churches," he said, "but it is of course the thousands of worshippers and visitors over the centuries, about whom little is usually known, who have shaped the churches to their present form and given each its unique atmosphere. It is this atmosphere which can be sensed on approaching a church, and which remains with the visitor long afterwards."

Like the atmosphere, Tim's book will also be treasured by his readers as a source of information on churches and their histories for a long time.

l Churches of Worcestershire, by Tim Bridges, is published by Logaston Press at £12.95.