AN author has taken his love and fascination of the Forest of Bowland and has produced a book to introduce revellers to one of the most rural areas of East Lancashire.

Andrew Stachulski, 65, originally from Great Harwood has worked alongside Slaidburn photographer Helen Shaw and produced a book 'The Forest of Bowland', which is an insight into every aspect of the forest.

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The book delves into the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and covers areas such as 'The High Places', 'The Roads of Bowland', it's wildlife and the villages the Forest conceals.

Mr Stachulski, who is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Liverpool said he spent more than a year preparing the book and spent many hours driving through the forest and exploring what it has to offer.

He said: "It has been a place I always wanted to go to as a child, but when we were younger our family didn't have a car so we didn't get to go very often.

"When I was older and bought one, I finally got to drive up there and see all the wonderful areas within its boundaries.

"When I drove through the villages, I got to meet some fantastic people and I learnt more and more about how people live up there.

"It's one of the most beautiful places in the country, a lot of people in the north west have not heard of it and it's quite shocking as it's a place everyone has to visit."

The forest became an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty over 50 years ago and stretches over 300 square miles.

Mr Stachulski's father, Marian, settled in England after coming over from Poland in 1940 during the Second World War.

This is the authors second book, after his first 'Home Ground' featured a guide to the 20 walks situated in the North West of England.

Mr Stachulski, who now lives in Worcestershire with partner Dr Jill Richards said: "Helen is a wonderful photographer and has taken some beautiful images of the forest.

"Living where she does, she's able to nip out and catch every mood the land gives her and she's done an amazing job, I'm really happy with how the book looks."

The book was published by Merlin Unwin books and is available to buy at www.merlinunwin.co.uk.