THE fascinating history of one of Redditch's oldest churches, St Peter's in Ipsley, is the focus of a new book which has just been published.

The book, by church member Alaric Napier, a South African architect temporarily living in Britain, details the story of the church's patron family, the Hubands, as well as the Landors and Dolbens who lived at neighbouring Ipsley Court.

It contains colour photographs, ink sketches, a scale plan and section of the church and diagrams explaining some quirky alterations to the building and information on the church's six bells, the etched entrance door called The Peter Window, and the stained glass windows.

Other topics include the church's heptagonal font, the 17th century pulpit, the Jacobean bishop's chair and elaborately carved tombstones as well as a detailed section on the patron families by local historian and schoolteacher Barbara Parkes.

The church went through some difficult times - it nearly closed in the 1950s and had to bus its congregation in - but later, with the expansion of Redditch, it once again thrived.

As the town developed, the church expanded under the leadership of the late Canon Ray Adams, who helped establish two team churches and saw to the completion of the Church Centre on the north side.

The book, priced £8, is available at the church office or by calling 516351, emailing stpeter_ipsley@btopenworld.com and more information is available at www.ipsley.org

Tours of the church can be arranged by calling the church office.