Local historian Martin Smith charts the story of Folkingham from important royal borough to village

A local historian has charted a village's varied 1,500-year history right back to its roots as an Anglo-Saxon royal borough for his latest book.

Martin Smith was inspired to write Folkingham - The Reluctant Town after moving to the village four years ago.

Curious to delve into his new home's past, he found its only history book out of print and impossible to find.

"I remember first driving through Folkingham many years ago and being amazed by the experience of suddenly entering a large Georgian market place," he said.

"It was an odd and unique place. When I came to live here I realised I needed to research and tell its story."

The limited-edition 320-page hardback has more than 260 photos, maps and illustrations.

"With the help of local people and new research, I pieced together its 1,500-year story, from an important Anglo-Saxon soke centre and medieval town, with a castle owned by leading aristocrats, to the residential village it is today," he added.

Martin, who has written several books on Stamford, also delves into the surrounding area, including Sempringham Priory, the Knights Templar Preceptory at Aslackby, RAF Folkingham and the Bourne-based BRM motor racing company.

The book is available from www.folkingham.com/book through the Greyhound Press.