RAY Jones was born and bred in Worcester, went to St Stephen's primary school and then Worcester Royal Grammar School, so is perfectly placed to take on the mantle of local historian. He also has a wide ranging collection of old photographs of the city and more than 40 of them appear in his latest book.

A Worcester History Tour has involved Ray in delving into his vaults - or possibly his attic - to come up with a selection of photographs, mostly from the early part of the 1900s.

There are grainy black and white images of men in flat caps and hob nailed boots, ladies in floor length skirts, little boys running errands and some very large policemen. And of course horses. Apart from the trams, it was all natural horse power in those days, although there is a marked lack of what horses tend to leave behind them.

All of the above are included in the shot of the Bull Ring in St John's, which was taken around 1916 as the nation was in the throes of the First World War. Incidentally, the tram in the centre of the image is roughly level with the entrance to the tram depot, which is now the Co-op supermarket.

And talking about old transport, no doubt the picture of the locomotive sheds at Shrub Hill will bring a lump to the throat of all those who miss the heady days of steam. A Worcester History Tour costs £6.99 from Amberley Publishing.