A BRAND new book has been published this week which aims to capture both the beautiful and ugly side of The Black Country.

Black Country Man includes interviews with 27 men from the Black Country including characters from Oldbury, Cradley Heath and Rowley Regis.

The book was commissioned and published by Black Country arts charity Multistory and includes images from renowned photographers Martin Parr, Daniel Meadows and John Bulmer.

Emma Chetcuti, director of Multistory, said: "The book is about the hardships, the pleasures and the humour of the men of the Black Country.

"It is an intimate record of their lives from living memory of the Black Country.

"Their stories offer personal, real life accounts of an area that is rich in history and heritage."

One of the men featured is Mark "Snarka" Whitehouse.

He said: "I was honoured to be chosen for this project as I come from a long line of Black Countrymen and nearly all my family have worked in the traditional industries with my grandparents, aunties, uncles all working in foundries.

"Dad was a trade union official who brought me up to put the working man of any colour or religion on a equal footing to anyone and believe this is the strength of Black Country folk as we treat people how we want to be treated,

He added: "I'm one of the organisers of the Stone Cross St George's Day parade which has become the biggest in the country, all organised by three working class Black Country folk showing if you have the will anyone from any background can achieve anything they want.

"I'm extremely proud of my Black Country roots were a tough but fair community who works hard and plays harder."

The full interviews are available as audio files and will be stored with Sandwell’s Community History and Archives Service (known as CHAS) and at the Black Country Living Museum.

The book tells the stories of Black Country men. We hear about the decline of production and manufacturing; tales from school days and early childhood memories; reflections on troubled times, personal conflict and political unrest, racial inequality, leisure, food; celebratory events; and tender accounts of all kinds of relationships.

"This publication chimes with the personal and the intimate and yet there is a story here for everyone. Focused on the every day and the ordinary, this book reveals the endeavours and achievements of the men of the Black Country."

The book is on sale at www.multistory.org.uk/shop and Sandwell Libraries and the Black Country Living Museum and at a specially reduced rate at the Women Chainmakers’ Festival on Sunday, July 12 and at Tuesday, July 14 at Cradley Heath Library at a special screening of the Multistory commissioned film, Chains, Dogs and Chaos between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.