THE village of Mordiford has inspired a musician and composer to produce an audiobook.

Thomas Hughes has adapted two traditional folklore stories and written music to accompany them.

Along with the CD and accompanying book, he has created mounted prints and cards, and has named the project, The Magic of Mordiford.

Mr Hughes released a recording of a composition based on Mordiford, Prior's Frome and Checkley in 2008.

He said: "I always wanted to follow up from that and do something else linked to the area.

"My interests are in the folk genre and it seemed the way forward.

"It is for people within the community, anyone in Herefordshire, who wants to find out about folklore."

The stories are based in Mordiford but are more generally concerned with myths and legends.

He said: "They are based on traditional stories I have learnt from word of mouth and from reading. either as a child or as an adult. I was interested in the Mordiford dragon, I think most people know about that.

"There is also a story called Flying with Fairies, which is based in Bears Wood between Mordiford and Checkley."

The Dragon of Mordiford was said to have loved a small girl named Maud who resided in Mordiford and had nurtured it from infancy. She was the only one who could calm it.

Mr Hughes, from Woolhope, is 36 and his main job is a music teacher.

He has raised money for the project through pre-orders and by selling cards and framed prints.

Mr Hughes said: "The music I have written myself. There was an idea of using traditional music but I wanted to challenge myself."

He has also performed the music on the piano, penny whistles, harp and saxophone.

The stories were edited and narrated by drama teacher Paul Baron from Mordiford for the CD audiobook.

The CD, story book, mounted prints, limited edition framed prints and cards are available from www.magicofmordiford.co.uk. He is hoping shops in the area will also stock the products.