Previously unpublished photos documenting the history of village life have been compiled in a new book.

Local history expert Chris Heath has published a new book featuring hundreds of photos of life around Denby Dale, Skelmanthorpe and district.

It features pictures from almost every decade from the Victorian period up until present day.

Chris, who has published nine previous works, said his latest was chiefly a photo album after he was inundated with new pictures.

“It’s only taken about a year to do this one,” said the part-time author.

“It’s heavy on photos and almost all of them are new.

“Various people came to me with pictures, most private collections.

“People seek me out now rather than chucking them away.”

Chris, who compiled the book with help from Susan Buckley and Stanley Sheead, said the new photos were some of the best he’d seen.

“As a born-and-bred Denby Daler I particularly like the one of Miller Hill as I’ve never seen it like that as just a field.

“It’s all built on now.

“There’s also a nice picture of people in the street outside the Prospect Hotel in 1904 that clearly shows the kind of outfits people wore at that time.”

The book also features an array of pictures of local clubs and groups in the early 20th century, including Skelmanthorpe football club, High Hoyland AFC, Denby Dale and District Free Church Council, Scissett Amateur Dramatics group, Clayton West Brass Band and Skelmanthorpe Liberal Club billiard team.