A "NEW" collection of old photographs of Thornbury and surrounding villages is being complied by history buffs at the town's museum.

The first edition of Around Thornbury by local historian and photographer Tom Crowe was a sell-out when it was published in 2003 and Tom had already begun work on a second Thornbury Revisited compilation when he died suddenly last year at the age of 69.

Now researchers at Thornbury musuem are busy finishing what he started and plan to publish the follow-up in his memory.

"We're sure it's what Tom would have wanted," said museum research group co-ordinator Meg Wise who is currently busy selecting and researching photographs for the new book - due for publication by Stroud-based Tempus Publishing in February next year.

"Tom was chairman of Thornbury and District Heritiage Trust did so much for the museum. As well as being extremely knowledgeable about local history and photography he was also a source of great encouragement and inspiration for others. His death was a great loss and we're completing the book as a tribute to him.

"He donated all the proceeds of the first book to the museum and we shall be doing the same." Featuring around 220 photographs from over the last 150 years the book will have a main chapter on Thornbury of yesteryear but will also have sections focusing on villages from Cromhall to Severn Beach and from Charfield to Rangeworthy.

"The images have come from the museum's own archives and from private individuals," said Meg. "There's certainly no shortage of material but it's important to get the balance right between village and town life and ressrachng each picture takes time.

"We like photographs with people in them and if they're standing in front of an interesting old building then so much the better.

"At the moment there are a few areas where we're a bit 'light'. We're looking for more images of people and places in Rangeworthy and also Thornbury's old Church School at St Mary's. Next year is the 400th anniversary of Thornbury Grammar School so we also want to highlight that if we can. If anyone has old grammar school pictures - particularly of smaller groups of pupils - we'd love to hear from them."