A new book looking back at Bungay in the 1940s is to be launched next month.

Author Graham Patrick lived in Staithe Road in the town with his family during those years, and after reading other books documenting the town in the 1920s, 30s and 50s, he decided to fill in the gap with his own memories.

Mr Patrick, now 77, was a pupil at Bungay Primary School and later the grammar school, and in his teens joined the local Methodist youth club. After training as a geography teacher he became a Methodist minister, which took him and his family to Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, where he now lives with his wife Margaret.

Mr Patrick's mother Gladys, who died in 2008, was well known in the town, and in her later years lived in one of the Staithe Road bungalows. His brother Bernard and sister Gillian have both lived in Bungay all their lives, and they have helped Mr Patrick with their own memories in the making of the book.

Mr Patrick said: 'I have always been very fond of Bungay as the town where I grew up and I've always wanted to write about it but I've been away from home since I was in my mid 20s. I've had quite a busy life travelling all over the country, and it's in my retirement that I have found the time.

'We have a grandson Alex who is now nine and seeing him grow up and sharing in his childhood took me back to my own.

'It will bring back many memories for those who lived through those years: air raids, rationing, outside toilets, the weekly bath in front of the fire, mangles, the wireless and the pictures. There are vivid memories of primary school, of Trinity Sunday School, of swimming in the Falcon pool, and much else.'

A Waveney Childhood: Memories of Bungay in the 1940s, is to be launched with a book signing in the Bowerbank Room in St Mary's Church on Saturday, March 11 between 10am and 1pm.

The book will cost £6.49, and after the signing will be available from The Chocolate Box.