Sleaford's steeples make top 50 in UK

Fifty English Steeples: The Finest Medieval Parish Church Spires and Towers in England is written by Julian Flannery, 53, from Solihull.

Julian has spent two-and-a-half years working on the 496-page text with six maps, 76 photographs and 171 line drawings, along with surveys of each church included.

Julian explained how the original idea came about. He said: “It is something that I have been interested in for quite a while. I was looking for a book on the subject, and there wasn’t one.”

Julian told The Standard there was a gap in the market which he could fill with his own book, so he began his research to decide which steeples he could include.

Ten of the steeples mentioned are in Lincolnshire, and Julian said: “Lincolnshire really is the best county in the country for spires.”

He also gave North Rauceby church a special mention when he said: “North Rauceby is a modest church and one of the earliest forms of spire, but is small and often overlooked.”

The book will be published on October 27, and can be bought via Amazon and WHSmith for £32.50 pre-order, or £50 upon release.