CLOISTER Cats and Dog Collar are two new books of gentle stories and beautiful colour photographs from photographer Richard Surman.

In the books Mr Surman, originally from Ledbury, offers a peek inside parishes across the country from a pet's perspective. The books of photographs and stories follow the ups and downs of today's clergy and their four-legged friends and should charm both both pet-lovers and church-goers alike.

Cloister Cats tells tales of would-be fisher cats in Tymawr, scrabbling for trout in their local pond, and of Leo the fire-loving resident of Blackfriars, in Cambridge, who got a little too close to the flames.

The book also gives a fascinating history of the abbeys and monasteries that these cats call home.

Both books are published by Collins and cost £10.99.