HEREFORD Cathedral guide and historian, Penny Platts, gave an enthusiastic and knowledgeable talk to the South Herefordshire Dowsers on some of the county's most remarkable churches, including Brockhampton, Shobdon, Abbey Dore and Kilpeck.

Showing photos depicting Italian architecture, white 'icing sugar' carved interiors and ancient pagan figures, Penny regretted that too few local people now tend to visit the architectural gems of churches around us and urged the audience to go out and see the real thing for themselves.

Next month's SHD public talk on July 6 at Aston Ingham Village Hall will feature dowser, Steve Dawson, and his search for King John's lost treasure in Norfolk.