A BLACK Country glass expert has launched a new book celebrating Stourbridge's still sparkling glass industry.

In Our Time, by former Kingswinford resident Graham Fisher MBE, was penned to commemorate the town's 2012 Portland Vase Project and Glass Cuts - the voice of the British Glass Foundation which was set up to campaign for the preservation of the area's glass heritage.

The 24-page full colour publication centres around GlassCuts 34 which was devoted to last year’s recreation by Stourbridge artists of one of the most important pieces of Roman cameo glass in the world.

Graham Fisher, a broadcaster and author who has written several books on glass and waterways, said: "The feedback we received following our feature confirmed the tremendous interest in the amazing achievement of recreating the Portland Vase here in Stourbridge.

"In Our Time is our acknowledgement of the glassmaking talents that still abound and our recording in perpetuity of the feat and its participants."

The book, published by Mr Fisher in association with Sparrow Publishing, was launched at the Webb Corbett Visitor Centre in Amblecote last night (Thursday December 12).

Priced £3.50 ( plus£1.50 p&p), it is available to buy from various local history book sellers or direct from the BGF by emailing bgf@britishglassfoundation.org.uk - or call 01384 217984.

Any money raised will go to the British Glass Foundation.