A NEW book focusing on Winchester’s historic buildings and streets in remarkable detail is going on sale.

It is the climax of many years’ work by former Winchester City Council conservation officer, Andrew Rutter.

For a quarter of a century he was the man charged with safeguarding the treasures of England’s ancient capital.

His book, Winchester: Heart of a City, is described as a “personal” view of his hometown and its heritage.

He carried out much of the research himself, having retired a decade ago, but there was also a small team working with him to make the project a reality.

They included the editorial team of Richard Baker, Gill Collymore, Robin Freeman and Keith Leaman.

The book has also been sponsored by the City of Winchester Trust, which was formed in the late 1950s to stop the clearance of historic buildings.

A few years later, Winchester became one of Britain’s first conservation areas, and its old buildings were given much more protection.

Along with the trust’s help, P&G Wells in College Street has also backed the project.

The shop – which itself is thought to be Britain’s oldest bookstore – is stocking the 300-page colour volume, along with several other retailers.

The book, printed by Sarsen Press, comes with hundreds of diagrams and photographs taken in Winchester.

There is a section on many individual streets in the city centre and near suburbs, along with famous buildings.

They include the law courts, Peninsula Barracks, the cathedral, and even the current Daily Echo and Hampshire Chronicle offices in Upper Brook Street.

The book records virtually every building and street scene of historic value in Winchester, along with some views now lost forever.

Mr Rutter, who lives in St John’s Road, said: “The character of any town depends on the contribution of individuals to its running and development.

“The streets and buildings represent the collective memory of all sorts of people, their activities, skills and attitude to life and their surrounding environment.

“To be given the opportunity to be an official part of this evolution for 24 years at a time of considerable challenge and change was a great responsibility and an honour.

“This study was the last thing the city council asked me to do. For this now to be put in the public domain is much appreciated and I hope it will add to peoples’ understanding of Winchester.”

The team behind the book is holding an official launch at Winchester Discovery Centre in Jewry Street tonight (Friday, November 6), and the book goes on sale tomorrow.