ENGLAND’S most published poet and Essex literary treasure Martin Newell’s latest book is another tale of his adopted county.

Following on from the hugely successful Prospect of Wivenhoe, a light-hearted and off-the-wall look at some of the characters who have lived in the riverside town, Martin has now set his sights slightly further afield.

Horses Seen Through Trees is Martin’s candid look at Essex, where he has lived nearly all his life.

It puts aside the county’s national tawdry image to unveil a part of England, historically rich, surprisingly rural and really rather beautiful.

Part travelogue, part historical, he travels through Colchester’s medieval side streets and across the Tendring peninsula to the coastal towns.

On his way, he passes the site of the Weeley pop festival, docks at the ancient port of Harwich, and takes a train to Frinton and Clacton, looking for the real Essex, much like the country’s greatest ever travel writer, H V Morton, did with his England of the Thirties.

Much like Morton, Martin, thankfully, discovers an older England, one which many would claim has all but vanished.

Martin is a firm fixture in the local arts scene. After 20 years in rock bands, such as the Cleaners From Venus, he became a pop poet in 1990, regularly writing pieces for national newspapers.

He is a prolific writer in a number of genres, such as poetry, pop memoir, and historical biography.

Martin will be signing copies of the new book, at Red Lion Books, in Colchester High Street, on Thursday, from 6pm until 8pm.

For more information, call the bookshop on 01206 578584.