A NEW book looking at the stories surrounding Chesil Beach over the years has been published.

The book, entitled 'Chesil Beach: A Peopled Solitude' and written by Judith Stinton takes an original look at the human element of the beach.

Throughout the years, there have been people living secret lives on the beach. Fishing, poaching, smuggling and wrecking were common practices, but the beach has also sheltered undercover agents, experimental communities and secret weapon testing. D-Day soldiers left for France from this coast and the Spanish Armada battled in its waters. Author Mrs Stinton says the coast is full of stories.

The book, Mrs Stinton's tenth, has taken five years to research and write, containing a number of unseen illustrations and material.

The book is available to purchase from The Bookshop, Cilla and Camilla, the Tourist Information Centre and Bridport Museum, it is also available from www.harlequinpress.net and www.abebooks.com