A book on the history of Duns Tew, written by a man left disabled by illness, will raise money for the village hall and church.

A Glimpse of Duns Tew, a book written by Jon Baxter and his neighbour John Green, will be released on Sunday, November 26 - and the authors have already taken 140 advance orders.

Mr Baxter - a former businessman who suffered a brain tumour eight years ago - said: "All proceeds will go to Duns Tew's ancient church of St Mary Magdalene and to the village hall.

"We wrote the book to support the two good causes, and because of our love for Duns Tew."

The idea for the book came after Mr Baxter read an item in the village newsletter about Anne Green - a chambermaid at the manor house who was hanged for murder but was found alive some hours after being pronounced dead.

Mr Baxter said: "I did some extra research into Anne Green's story, and the tale is told in great detail in the book."

He continued: "That started me off, and I spent the next 18 months working every day - finding out as much as I could about the village.

"The help I received from villagers was tremendous and I was lucky to have John living next door.

"John ran the Duns Tew history society and we worked together from the start to produce the book."

Mr Baxter ran an events company, Dijon Designs at Deddington - now run by his wife and son - until the brain tumour left him disabled.

While working on the book Mr Baxter underwent operations that have left him with a speech impediment, unable to walk unaided, profoundly deaf in one ear and with a 70 per cent loss of sound in the other.

Mr Green, a former estate bursar at Bloxham School, said: "We have visited museums and libraries and contacted several history societies. We have contacted many commercial organisations including the BBC over copyright issues.

"Most of the research has been done by Jon, and he found sources of information that I had not heard of.

"People have also given us photographs from their collections - some unique.

He added: "Every village should have a book on its history, and we might write a sequel on Duns Tew.

"We have some stories left over, and we hope the first publication will encourage new people to come forward with snippets of history."

Mr Baxter and Mr Green also published the book, and Mr Baxter paid the printing costs.

It is on sale priced £4.95 plus 65p postage, and can be obtained from Mr Baxter at 75 Main Street, Duns Tew, OX25 6JL. Cheques should be payable to Jon Baxter.