When local history author Roger Long asked the landlord of the Crown and Thistle in Abingdon if any ghosts resided in his ancient pub, the reply he got was unexpected.

“At least four,” the landlord stated, “in residence that is, and of course there are a couple that drop in from time to time.

“These include a strong presence in the bar, a lady who passes through the restaurant, thought to be a waitress, and two haunted bedrooms.”

The colourful exchange, which apparently happened a few years’ back, has an apocryphal feel to it, but it’s a perfect example of why Roger Long’s new book, Curious Oxfordshire, is such an entertaining read.

This is the 16th book by the Berkshire-based author, who is now 64.

The former trucker launched his writing career in 1986, and has never looked back.

Mr Long insists on visiting every location he writes about, which makes the books he writes very labour-intensive, but the author enjoys a pint, so he doesn’t complain about the lengthy research itineraries he sets himself.

“I try to make sure I visit every location,” he told The Guide.

“When I was writing about the historic inns of the River Thames it was murder going round a dozen pubs in a day, but we all suffer for our art.”

The father-of-three and grandfather-of-six is pleased that he completed his seven books on pubs when hostelries in the UK were still flourishing.

“There used to be such good banter in local pubs, but now times have changed and in some pubs you see three or four tired old men outside trying to have a smoke in the rain,” he said.

“Generally I don’t talk to the landlords – I talk to people at the bar because they give me better stories.

“I was asking about ghosts in one pub in Chichester and no-one was saying anything, so after a while I left.

“Outside I found a barmaid waiting for me to tell me about the resident ghost.”

Curious Oxfordshire is not intended as a guide book, but Mr Long hopes readers will be encouraged to visit little-known villages to sniff out the historic landmarks and legends that he has uncovered.

In his author’s note, he states there are more than 100 locations visited for his latest book and adds: “Obviously I cannot check every week whether or not a pub has been disposed of or an ancient building has been reduced to rubble.

“To the best of my knowledge though, everywhere I had previously visited still existed when I last checked, and the stories, when not heard first-hand, have been attributed to the writers who first brought them to light.”

Mr Long is half way through writing a follow-up title called Curious Buckinghamshire, but finds himself at a crossroads following the recent death of his wife Marjorie, 64, from lung cancer. The couple had been married for 36 years.

When he is not researching curious goings-on in Pishill and Rotherfield Greys, the writer enjoys sunning himself in Spain, Italy or Greece.

“I might get over to Spain for a while,” Mr Long said.

If the author does decide to emigrate, Salamanca’s gain would be the Thames Valley's loss.

Curious Oxfordshire by Roger Long is published by Sutton Publishing, price £12.99.