THE dramatic scenery of Pendle Hill is being shown in a contemporary light by an East Lancashire landscape photographer.

In his latest book, Pendle – Landscape of History and Home, Alastair Lee, said he wanted to depict the imposing landmark as it had never been seen before.

The Burnley-born film-maker, who grew up in Brierfield, shot the hill from a variety of angles, using a panoramic lens.

Inspired by “exotic” landmarks, seen on his travels, he said he wanted to dispel pre-conceived “grey and miserable” ideas about East Lancashire.

One of the images, included in the book, is reminiscent of Ayers Rock, in Australia.

Alastair, 35, a former pupil at QEGS, in Blackburn, said: “I’ve been taking pictures of the hill for 10 years. The book is almost accidental in a way because it is what I would be doing anyway – I love being out there.

“I went travelling for 18 months in my early 20s and ever since then I have been to a lot of places, but the hill symbolises home for me.”

The book covers the varied and eventful history of the hill, from the famous Pendle witches to the industrial revolution.

Alastair, who now lives in the shadow of the landmark, in Blacko, with his wife and son, Simon, four, said: “People have accused me of being obsessed with the hill and my wife gets sick of me showing her pictures, but the book isn’t something I could have nailed in a month.

“With something like this you have to wait for the right conditions and take opportunities when they come along.

“It is the most dramatic hill in the region – really impressive.”

Rock climbing enthusiast Alastair appeared on Radio 4 on Saturday to promote his book. Another of his books, called Forgotten Landscapes, featuring images of Pendle Hill, the Ribble Valley and the Burnley area, was published in 2004.

Signed copies of Pendle – Landscape of History and Home are available, priced at £14.99, at www.posing productions.com.