They are some of the most picturesque villages in the country, set against the stunning backdrop of the north Norfolk coast.

And now a book has been published, containing more than 700 photographs capturing the Burnhams' unique charm.

The Burnhams – People and Places, contains chapters on Burnham Market, Burnham Overy Staithe, Burnham Overy Town, Burnham Deepdale, Burnham Norton and Burnham Thorpe, birthplace of the great British naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson.

The book, though, does not delve into the history of the villages, near Wells, but instead intends to capture the character and the spirit of the Burnhams at a particular point in time.

It contains pictures of the people who live and work in them, the hobbies, arts and crafts, shops and shopkeepers, which make the Burnhams so vibrant.

The pictures were taken between 2010 and 2012 by authors John Warham, who lives in Thornham and Hazel Denslow, who lives in Burnham Market.

It is Mr Warham's third in a series of People and Places books, having previously covered Thornham and Wells. He said: 'People think it is a slow pace of life in this part of the country, but it is amazing to see how these places change so much in a short period of time.

'While working on this book, we have seen several changes in Burnham Market: The Jockey pub re-opened as The Nelson; Barclays Banks has closed its doors and the summer traffic in Burnham Market just gets worse!'

Included in the book are artist Pam Noyes, owl enthusiast John Middleton, boat restorer Peter Beck, Derek and Kathleen Rout, who have been selling Sunday newspapers from their shed in Burnham Overy Town for more than 35 years, and The Nelson Shanty Men band.

Mrs Denslow, who has lived in Burnham Market for 19 years, said: 'We met some really interesting characters while we made this book.

'There is always lots of building work going on around here and we did a section on the builders. They loved posing for our photographs and were very amusing.'

Mr Warham and Mrs Denslow met studying digital photography at Wells Adult Learning Centre with Julia Rafferty.

Mr Warham said: 'Julia has been an absolute inspiration.

'When I went on this course I didn't expect I would have gone on to publish three photography books.' Mr Warham is particularly pleased that the book is a 'made in Norfolk' project, having been designed by Dick Malt, who lives in Hoe, near Dereham and printed by Jez Batch of Dolphin Graphics in Dersingham. He said: Dick and Jez have worked with me on all three books I have done. I love their enthusiasm and expertise.'

The book is �27 and is available at Jarrold's of Norwich, Waterstones in King's Lynn, The Whitehouse Bookshop in Burnham Market and other bookshops along the north Norfolk coast.

Mr Warham is now working on a book on Blakeney, Cley, Morston, Wiverton.

adam.lazzari@archant.co.uk