LOCAL historians take note, a book publisher is on the look-out for writers.

In the past few months Snapshots of the Past has featured The Book of Swanage and The Book of Stourton Caundle, and publishers Halsgrove are keen to extend their Community History series.

It all began back in 1998 when they published The Book of Postbridge, the Dartmoor village.

Since then the series has grown and grown, with no fewer than 16 new titles being published last year and a further 29 planned for 2002.

These include two spotlighting Dorset villages, due out later in November, both written by well-known local author Rodney Legg.

One is The Book of Studland, Portrait of Purbeck's Heathland Village, and the other The Book of Lulworth, A Celebration of Dorset's Cove Villages.

Rodney has been writing about the Purbecks for three decades and his 1972 volume, Purbeck Island, has been described as a local classic.

The Book of Studland will cover everything from the local shipwrecks to the links with Enid Blyton, whose character of PC Plod in the Noddy books is said to immortalise a Studland constable.

And, of course, it marks the important wartime role played by the Studland beaches when King George VI paid a visit to watch the D-Day rehearsals.

The Book of Lulworth, likewise, covers everything from Bindon Abbey to the community of Trappist monks who left their graves and name at Monastery Farm, and from the links with royalty to the famous writers such as John Keats and Rupert Brooke drawn to the beauty spot.

The 160-page books, each with more than 200 photographs and other illustrations, will be limited-subscription editions in large format.

"All those who order a copy before October 4 will be entitled to an entry in the book," said Jo Frost, of Halsgrove, whose address is Halsgrove House, Lower Moor Way, Tiverton Business Park, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 6SS.

"We are looking to expand the series and would like local historians to contact Halsgrove if they are interested in taking their pursuit of local history further into publication," she added.

The community histories editor is Naomi Cudmore, who can be contacted on 01884 259636, and more details on the series can be found on Halsgroves' website, (www.halsgrove.com).