FEW buildings typify rural England better than the village church, so if you're looking for a ramble around Worcestershire a new book by Tim Bridges would be the ideal thing to have in your coat pocket.

Mind you, it would need to be a substantial garment, for The Churches of Worcestershire is a weighty tome, even in paperback.

Strictly speaking, it is not a new book, for in its original form it was published five years ago. But since then so much new information has come to light that Tim, who is collections manager for Worcester City Museum, felt an update was called for.

The revised version contains new illustrations, many of them taken by Tim and his parents, and some fascinating snippets which delve into the life and times of the county's places of worship.

Of course there are the usual gems, such as St Michael's, next to Witley Court, with its stunning baroque interior paid for by profits from the Black Country foundries of the Earl of Dudley, and St Mary Magdalene at Croome D'Abitot, the restored Georgian Gothic church in the grounds of Croome Court.

But the beauty of this book is that it is all encompassing. All Worcestershire's historic Anglican churches and several modern ones are included.

Hence you visit Holy Trinity and St Matthew in Ronkswood, Worcester, a 1960s circular concrete structure designed by architect Maurice Jones, and St James, West Malvern, where a gentleman who could possibly be described at the patron saint of journalism, Peter Mark Roget - he of Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases - lies buried. Presumably with a telling phrase on his tombstone.

The buildings vary from the ornate to the simplistic. For example, Throckmorton church stands almost alone, approached by a path across a field. A humble place of worship for the Throckmorton family, who later acquired the splendour of Coughton Court in Warwickshire.

On the other hand, St Michael and All Angels, near Tenbury Wells, has all the appearance of a small, elegant French cathedral.

It owes its existence to Sir Frederick Gore Ouseley, who founded a choir school there in 1856, and the Rushout family, who were the chief benefactors.

Wherever you go in Worcestershire, there is a village church waiting to be discovered.

Pack Tim Bridges' book and you will have a handy companion along the way.

l Churches of Worcestershire by Tim Bridges is available through Logaston Press at £14.95.