A RESPECTED online publication devoted to West Midlands History is turning its gaze onto Stourbridge's glass industry this month.

History West Midlands Magazine, edited by Dr Malcolm Dick of The University of Birmingham, is dedicating its next edition entirely to glass - which will include a 20-minute film exploring the effects of the glass industry on Stourbridge and the wider region.

History buffs and film-makers have been filming at various locations in Stourbridge's Glass Quarter - and on Monday (February 10) they stopped off at Wordsley's Red House Glass Cone to interview glassblower Darren Weed in action in his hot glass studio.

Amblecote's Ruskin Glass Centre and Kingswinford's Broadfield House Glass Museum will also feature in the film which will also include interviews with the borough's renowned glass expert Charles Hajdamach and art and design historian Sally Hoban.

Dr Malcolm Dick said: "Glass and Glassmaking was chosen as the subject of this issue and our related filming because it provided the opportunity to explore local glass-making traditions, uncover the work of individual entrepreneurs, inventors and artists, and reveal the variety of products they created from decorative glass to lighthouse lenses and bulb vases."

Councillor Tracy Wood, Dudley's cabinet member for environment and culture, said: "Our glass industry, both past and present is something we are all proud of.

"It's great to have the Stourbridge Glass Quarter recognised by such a well-regarded publication and I look forward to seeing the finished films."

The film will be available to subscribers at www.historywm.com and a range of shorter films on the glass industry will be available to all on the magazine's website and YouTube site.