A prolific author of history has written his final book – covering the First World War.

Basil Jeuda, 76, has written 18 books over a 35-year period, many covering the history of railways and industrialisation.

His final book, World War One and the Manchester Sephardim, deals with the impact of the First World War and the Manchester Jewish community.

The book explores how the war impacted on the different sections of the community, on those who went to war and the circumstances in which they fought, and were killed, and on those who were subject to the Aliens Act and suffered internment and other restrictions.

The book also shows how the timing of the war determined the future shape of Sephardi community.

Basil, of Sandringham Road, Hurdsfield, said writing the book had touched upon his own family’s tragic history.

He said: “My final book is an important piece of local history and one where I was able to recognise my own family’s involvement in the War; my mother had three cousins were killed in action, two of whom in the last fortnight of fierce fighting before the Armistice.

“Over the last few years I have kept myself busy writing, and a large book every two years, with large amounts of text and several hundred photos in each book. It has been quite a challenge.

“What I find gratifying is bumping into people casually in Macclesfield who say to me how much pleasure my books have given them.

“That makes it all worthwhile.”

The book costs £9.99 and can be ordered online.