Much Marcle train artist Eric Bottomley has described his first solo publication as his "life's work".

Copies of The Transport Art of Eric Bottomley will be on sale during a book launch and signing at the Three Counties Bookshop, in Ledbury, tomorrow (Saturday), from 11am.

Although Mr Bottomley has seen his work published in books by the Guild of Railway Artists, the new volume of nostalgic transport subjects is lavishly illustrated with the painter's singular vision.

In particular, the full colour prints bear witness to Mr Bottomley's love of the Victorian era and steam engines, although later steam-age themes are also covered, including some from the local area.

One of his paintings, Cathedrals at Malvern, shows the Cathedrals Express leaving Malvern Link, some time in the early 1960s.

Mr Bottomley, aged 54, said: "Specialising in your subject matter pays off and my interest in nostalgic transport scenes has stood me in good stead over the years, towards this collection of work."

Mr Bottomley, who was born in Oldham, settled in Much Marcle in 1988, by which time he was already a full-time painter.