A YEAR?S work by a group of Bere Ferrers residents was unveiled to the public on Saturday when a history book of the parish went on sale.

Six members of the Bere Local History Group ? Trevor and Sue Bond, Iris and John Snell, Gill Edwards and Jean Sharman ? are behind the 42-page publication, illustrated with photographs by Andy Anderson.

At the launch in Bere Alston Parish Hall, Mr Anderson also held an exhibition of some 3,000 photographs of local scenes and events he has captured over the last 20 years.

The book includes a wealth of old pictures of the village, which are side by side with photos of the same locations as they are today.

Fascinating facts and local stories back up the pictures in the book, which has proved a great hit with residents with over a quarter of the copies already sold.

Sue Bond said 1,000 copies had been produced and the hall was packed with visitors on Saturday from 9.30am to 9pm.

Pictures include those of the ?Party Fields? which was a favourite place for children?s parties in the early 1900s.

Groups used to travel up from Plymouth and spend days playing games and having teas in the fields, returning home on the train singing ?Gold Bless the Engine Driver.?

The project came about through funding from Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, Bere Ferrers Parish Council and the Tamar Valley Service.

?Bere Ferrers Parish ? Then and Now? is available from Bere Alston Post Office and The Lanterna Guest House in Bere Ferrers priced at £4.50.