SKIVING schoolboys helping out at market over 100 years ago have been captured forever as part of a unique publication of 'snapshot' photographs.

The new publication, entitled Early Photographs of Radnor, illustrate the photographic talents of William McKaig who grew up and ran a cycle shop in New Radnor during the early 20th Century.

'Billy' McKaig developed his interest in photography from his father, Leonard, who ran the village school and they were probably the only family in the area to own a camera.

He would often be called upon to take pictures of events, family gatherings, prize bulls and pets, as well as providing mementoes for holiday-makers who would cycle from Birmingham.

With an artistic eye, Billy managed to capture a glimpse of what life was really like, including the absent schoolchildren featured in the pictures of the Radnor Valley Agricultural Association meetings.

Laurence Smith, who compiled and researched the text for the book, has written in the introduction: "I was amused to read in the school log book that the children you see in those pictures should have been at school - their absence on that day was recorded by Billy's father!"

Many of the 'almost lost' images have been restored thanks to computer technology, including a delightful picture of a girl feeding orphaned lambs with a bottle. This photograph had been so badly faded it was difficult to see what it was.

Mr Smith, who is a long-time follower of McKaig's work, spent many hours compiling the collection by rooting through family albums and researching local history.

The book is available from bookshops, price £9.95.