A Midlands journalist has written a book to promote tourism in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Stephen Thirkill, a reporter at the Mansfield Chad, has written Tourist Trails which highlights seven tourist attractions and beauty hotspots including Hardwick Hall, Teversal Trails and Chatsworth House.

The book accompanies a CD the newspaper produced to promote local tourism which is currently on sale at National Trust attractions.

Said Stephen: “It’s a project we have high hopes for at the Chad and is part of our efforts to promote and give a lift to our tourist industry.

“Mansfield and Ashfield has a lot of beauty spots and attractions to be very proud of.

“It also has many passionate people who give up their time as volunteers to make these attractions the success story they are today and to help preserve the area’s history and heritage.

“This book will give the volunteers the credit they deserve, the attractions the attention they require and hopefully help to inspire more people to play their part in the region’s thriving tourism industry.”

In the book Stephen takes a step back in time to learn about the success of a national social experiment at Southwell Workhouse and what made the world-famous Lord Byron tick during a special behind-the-scenes visit to Newstead Abbey.

He also explores Chatsworth House to discover why the attraction is proving so popular with film-makers, and learns about the fascinating life of Bess of Hardwick, who became the second richest lady in the realm behind the Queen with Hardwick Hall a lasting legacy to her fame and fortune.

The book is available for pre order from  Amazon and Waterstones.

A book launch/meet the author event will be held in Sutton-In-Ashfield library on 21 April and Mansfield Library on 28 April.