THE TEAM of authors that brought you Chelford, A Cheshire Village have published the sequel and are already writing the third.

Villagers Keith and Mavis Plant, Julia Slater and Dr Roger Roycroft got the writing bug after they painstakingly composed a 350-page history and celebration of Chelford which was published to commemorate the millennium.

Last year they also set the cameras rolling on a film depicting life in the village.

They captured events like the opening of the new primary school, the retirement party of former vicar Reverend John Ellis and the reunion of people evacuated to Chelford during World War II.

And now they have launched their new book - Chelford and its Neighbours.

Keith said after the first book they were faced with a list of omissions and requests to include more information and to widen their boundaries.

So book two covers the history and happenings of the neighbouring villages of Lower Withington, Snelson, Nether Alderley, Monks Heath and Little Warford.

In particular it focuses on their schools, churches, fetes and festivals, and organisations like the Guides and Scouts.

Keith said: "The aim of all books should surely be to inform whilst entertaining and but we confess to a third aim, which is to raise funds for Chelford Parish Church."

Built in the 1770s the church is now in need of repairs and all the profit from the books is going towards that.

"It is probably true to say that none of the history contained in these volumes would have been as it was without the influence of the local churches, partly by their teachings but perhaps even more by their ability to bring people together and think of the community as well as themselves," he said.

The quartet are now planning the third book in the Chelford trilogy which will be a photographic record of Chelford and the neighbouring villages.

The new book, priced £7.95, is available to buy from Chelford Post Office, the Paper Shop and Williams the Grocer in Chelford, or direct from Keith Plant on 01625 860074.