Ledbury historian Joe Hillaby has turned to some of the town's most notable buildings for his latest book.

Mr Hillaby, president of the Ledbury and District Society Trust, will launch St Katherine's Hospital, Ledbury C1230-1547, at the Burgage Hall tomorrow (Saturday) from 10.30am.

He said his latest endeavour was the companion to his earlier Ledbury: A Medieval Borough.

The new book takes a detailed look at the hospital complex, which encompasses St Katherine's Hall, the Master's House and buildings on the site of what are now the Almshouses, which date from the 19th Century.

Mr Hillaby said: "The book is based on the extensive collection of deeds, court rolls and rentals in the archives of the Dean and Chapter."

The result is a 160-page book, containing over 110 illustrations, six maps, tables and plans, covering the period 1230 to 1547.

A further volume is planned, which will take the history of St Katherine's up to the present day.

St Katherine's Hall was founded by Bishop Foliot in 1230, as a place of succour for the poor and as a chantry chapel. It prospered and, at the height of their powers, the chantry priests administered 1,600 acres on behalf of the hospital, in areas including Eastnor, Berrow and Whiteleaved Oak.

St Katherine's Hall, one of the town's oldest buildings, is one of the most remarkable survivals of the medieval hospital complex, but Mr Hillaby has also provided ground-breaking information and photographs concerning that other survivor, The Master's House.

This building dates from the 14th Century and, until recently, housed St Katherine's surgery. It is currently undergoing specialist examination, ahead of plans to re-house the town's library there and perhaps the tourist information centre.

Mr Hillaby said: "The Master's House is an extremely rare building, possibly the only surviving medieval example of a purpose-built master's house left in this country."

Originally, it would have been the home of the master of St Katherine's Hospital.

The book contains the first published photographs of the remarkable roof trusses of this unique and ancient building.

The book is on sale at £10, and profits go to the Ledbury and District Society Trust.