Sidmouth bookseller has photos published

WHEN bookseller Mark Chapman first bought a digital camera seven years ago he began taking pictures around Sidmouth.

WHEN bookseller Mark Chapman first bought a digital camera seven years ago he began taking pictures around Sidmouth.

"I am just an amateur snapper," said Mark, 46, who next spring celebrates 20 years of running Paragon Books, High Street.

You can imagine how delighted he was that Wellington publishers Halsgrove, was interested in using his collection in a new "Spirit Of" series of hardback pocket books.

Today (Friday) he expects delivery - hot of the press - of his book, The Spirit of Sidmouth, which he will sell for �4.99.

"It had been in my mind to put together a book of colour pictures of the town when in March I was talking to the rep from Halsgrove Books who asked if I had thought about doing a book on Sidmouth," said Mark.

When the rep discovered Mark had a collection of photographs of places of historical interest around the town, including Alma Bridge, Connaught Gardens and the Royal Glen Hotel, he jumped at the chance to publish them.

The little 64-page book of Mark's photographs and captions, will appeal to tourists and locals "because it is small enough to stick in their luggage or post to people who live abroad if they want to send it as a gift," he said.

"My favourite picture is of the row of Cottages Orn� at the seafront, which was taken in November when they were covered in snow."

Mark, who cycles to work from his Sidmouth home, was hoping to get the book out in time for the summer season, but working in his busy shop meant fitting in his photography when he could.

"Not many people know about my book yet. I will probably sign a few copies if asked, but I am not planning on having an official book signing," he added.