Nostalgia is irresistible. Not many can resist the temptation to recall childhood years, life's early experiences and the places that were important in our past.

Those who enjoy casting a backward glance at former decades have for many years enjoyed the photographs that make up the famed Francis Frith archive of images, and now the collection is to bring out a new book highlighting the Hampshire town of Romsey.

The Romsey book will be illustrated with unique historical photographs from the Frith stockpile that includes the Market Place from the 1890s up to the 1960s, Bell Street, Corn Street and The Hundred as well as the Abbey with its picturesque river setting and imposing exterior and interior.

The 96-page work, due to be published on Monday, May 9, with words by Pat Genge, Jessica Spinney and Barbara Burbridge, all memebers of Romsey's local history and archaeological society, also features the Corn Exchange, Conservative Club, the White Horse Hotel, Abbey House Convent, Church Lane and the Manor House.

Francis Frith was born at Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England in 1822 to a Quaker family.

A successful grocer, and later, printer, he fostered an interest in photography, becoming a founding member of the Liverpool Photographic Society in 1853.

In 1855 the pioneering photographer sold his companies and with the money dedicated himself entirely to his all-consuming interest.

The archive was established in 1860 and contains more than 365,000 photos taken between 1860 and 1970, and covers almost 7,000 British towns and villages.

In the same year as he began the collection, Frith married and set off on a series of travels around Britain to take photographs, usually accompanied by his wife, a couple of servants, four photographic assistants and later by all six of his children.

Before Frith died in Cannes, France in 1898, he travelled not only in this country but also extensively in Egypt and Palestine.

He faced considerable problems on his journeys in such hot climates, not least on the occasion when he was sleeping in a tomb at the foot of the Great Pyramid in Egypt and had to fight off a pack of hungry dogs "to the very point of exhaustion".

On his return to Great Britain The Times was full of praise for his work, saying that Frith's photographs "carry us far beyond anything that is in the power of the most accomplished artist to transfer to his canvas.''

His photographs of times gone by are a social record and provide a detailed visual record as well as illustrating the enormous changes that took place in Great Britain since 1860.

Romsey by Pat Genge, Jessica Spinney and Barbara Burbridge will be published on May 9 by the Francis Frith Collection and priced £14.99.