HEREFORDSHIRE author John Stempel-Lewis says the county's green and pleasant land was the inspiration for his latest book on the history of England.

England The Autobiography takes a rather different approach to the average history book, which sees John editing rather than writing a timeline of eyewitness accounts.

They range from Julius Ceasar's view on the Roman invasion of Britain, in 55BC, right up to Jonny Wilkinson's feelings as he kicked the winning drop goal in the 2003 rugby world cup final.

Also included is the story of how the Bishop of Hereford played a treacherous part in the execution of Edward II, in 1327, as chronicled by Geoffery le Baker.

But Herefordshire inspired the book in more ways than one - the green fields, orchards and valleys providing the perfect backdrop to gather the accounts of days gone by.

"In some ways the green and pleasant land of Herefordshire is the last of England as it once was," said John (pictured, left).

"I can look out my window and think of how things used to be.

"Plus, being so close to Hay-on-Wye helped a lot as well; it's the Town of Books.

"I couldn't believe how lucky I was getting paid to read through these books. I was finding treasure after treasure for inclusion in the collection."

John, who finds time to farm his land in Longtown with wife Penny and has written several books, also spent many long days in the archives at Hereford Library and the British Library looking for material.

His penchant for eye witness-style history books came about when watching history programmes.

"I love watching TV history but often you come away with more of a sense of the historian than the history," he said.

"By using the accounts of the people who were actually there it seems more real and more fun."

England The Autobiography is out now in hardback from Penguin UK.