RARE drawings showing streets in Kidderminster that were demolished decades ago have been published in a new book.

The work of 19th century artist, John Knox Ferguson, has been collected by Kidderminster Archaeological and Historical Society.

Member, Don Gilbert, said he hoped the book, called Old Kidderminster, would “shed light” on some areas of the town that have since been forgotten.

He explained: “We think the book should be of interest to residents of Kidderminster, whether they have lived here all their lives or whether they are new to the area.

“It shows the town as it was well over 100 years ago, which is fascinating.”

One drawing features Swan Street, which was replaced by the Swan Shopping Centre in the 1960s, while other pieces show old courts behind houses in Worcester Street and Mill Street.

Mr Gilbert said: “They are all gone now. They were seen as health hazards by the end of the 19th century, as many of the courts only had one pump, so if the water became contaminated there was a real chance that disase could spread very quickly.”

Mr Ferguson, originally from Edinburgh, spent five years in Kidderminster in the 1890s, having been commissioned by Peter Adam, a carpet manufacturer in the town.

The artist was attempting to “document scenes that, in the course of history, would disappear”, Mr Gilbert explained.

The new book, compiled by Mr Gilbert, along with fellow society members, Robert Barber and Jim Wilkinson, also uses photos of street scenes from the late 19th century and today to show how the town has changed.

“The old pictures represent a precious record of what Kidderminster looked like in those days,” Mr Gilbert went on.

The society, which was formed in 1957, meets at 7.30pm on Wednesdays at St George's Church in Radford Avenue.

The book is on sale at Kidderminster Library or via the society’s website, communigate.co.uk/worcs/kidderminsterhistorysoc