FINDING inspiration will be no problem for a historian when she gets down to business in producing a book about the "marvellous" town she has come to love.

Anne Bradford's publication about the history of Stourport will be the first written since Isaac Wedley's work which was published by the Kidderminster Shuttle in a series of articles in 1933.

Mrs Bradford, of Redditch, said she had been asked by numerous Stourport people to produce the book.

She said: "I am relying heavily on Mr Wedley's work, updating it with interviews from local people, although there will be many new themes in my book.

"There are several wonderful things to be included, including features about the Baldwin and Vale families.

"Other items include recalling when the one-way road system was introduced in the town centre, the bombing of the old boys' school and the history of Stourport's canals."

Mrs Bradford, who has been an author since 1992 and is a regular visitor to Stourport, added: "Stourport is a marvellous place and I am finding it a pleasure researching everything about it.

"When I have stood in Mart Lane on a summer's day and looked across the River Severn into the distance I cannot picture many more beautiful sights in Worcestershire."

The retired English teacher has written history books about her home town of Redditch and has also completed six ghost and legends books, the latest being Unquiet Spirits of Worcestershire.

As part of her Stourport work, she has made numerous visits to the town to meet the public and discuss ideas for the book, which is expected to be published by next spring.

Anybody who has an interesting tale or recollection of Stourport's history which they think could feature in the book can call Mrs Bradford on 01527 542516.