A new book has been published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a Botley church, delving into the rich history of the area.

Botley's Golden Era has been released to commemorate the landmark birthday of SS Peter and Paul in Church Way while capturing how the suburb and the world was in 1958.

The book, co-written by local historians Martin Harris and Phoebe Pearce, covers the transfer from the congregation's 1914 'tin tabernacle' church to its current brick building.

Members of the community raised at least £13,350 of the £29,000 needed to build its present premises which features stones from Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral in London and a 13th century carving from Oxford Cathedral.

The church was consecrated in 1958 and stood side-by-side with its corrugated iron predecessor until that was knocked down in the late 1960s.

The book also covers the building of the West Way shopping centre and concerns over the A34.

Mr Harris, 41, of Deanfield Road, who spent a year writing and researching the book, said: "The way we wrote the book we didn't want to make it very serious and religious. We wanted to give people a picture about what was going on in Botley and the world at that time.

"We wanted it to appeal to as many people as possible."

Mr Harris, who was confirmed at the church in 1978, added: "The most exciting thing has been tracking down the children of the church's first vicar. It's made such a difference because we have unearthed all these facts and pictures and because they've been able to provide these wonderful details about their father.'

The Rev Anthony Rustell who has been at the church for four years, said: "It's a great little book. I think the writers should be immensely proud of it.”

To buy a copy, costing £5, call Mr Harris on 01865 864776 or email on martin@harrisox.freeserve.co.uk