MORE than 80 people have contributed their memories to a moving new book about the horrific Southampton blitz.

The previously unpublished accounts - detailing the relentless bombardment of the strategic port - make harrowing yet inspirational reading.

Southampton's Children of the Blitz recalls the days of evacuation, Anderson shelters and gas masks as the then town prepares for war. Then the personal first-person accounts move on to vividly recount the terrible aerial bombardment which followed.

The attacks on the art gallery - where many children were killed - and the Spitfire Supermarine factory are graphically included before the apocalyptic "Blitz Weekend" of November 30/December 1 1940 unfolds and obliterates Southampton.

With hundreds of unseen photographs, the book then chronicles the town's astonishing fight-back as the American's arrive in the port and the D-Day fleet departs for Normandy - again recounted through the eyes of the local child witnesses.

Southampton's Children of the Blitz was written by journalist Andrew Bissell, who was deeply moved by the contributors' stories.

He said: "Many of these wonderful people found it deeply upsetting to recall these traumatic memories in their lives but they thought it so important that these events are never forgotten.

"That's why I wrote the book. Memories are slowly fading and it's vital they never completely evaporate. This book is therefore aimed at the younger generations as much as the older ones.

"It's a very powerful story of tragedy and bravery but it's also a testament to the fact that the human spirit can overcome grave adversity and rebuild anew."

The book is published by Red Post Books and is available in local shops from October 1.