AN EXTENSIVELY revised edition of a landmark book by the great Alfred Wainwright could soon be published.

Chris Butterfield curates a huge collection of memorabilia related to the legendary fellwalker and author, and included in his collection are manuscripts and photographs from the 1988 volume 'Fellwalking with a Camera'.

The manuscripts and photos laid undisturbed in a drawer

The book, which contains photos taken on the fells and descriptions of the images, was the last Wainwright book published by The Westmorland Gazette.

Mr Butterfield explained that sadly around 40 per cent of the photos were out of focus or over/under exposed to an extent where they were not useable and were therefore cut from the book along with the accompanying descriptions.

"Wainwright fought hand tooth and claw to feature everything, but he understood why they had to be omitted," he said.

"So we lost Wainwright's beautiful writing too, which he intended to be seen by the public."

However Mr Butterfield, who recently organised a successful get together of Wainwright friends, associates and luminaries, has revealed he has been working on designs which could be used to ensure the book is republished exactly as Wainwright originally intended.

"Should Wainwright's work remain in my drawer hidden from he public? I think not, and this should be seen," he said.

"We can never get a new Wainwright book and this is the closest we will ever get.

"There is a colossal amount of writing here that is beautiful and should be read."

Mr Butterfield explained that Wainwright had typed the book as his eyes were failing, and then glued the typed pages into the dummy book and made doodles as directions for where the photos should go.

And Mr Butterfield said he wants to include these typed notes and doodles, which had laid undisturbed in a drawer for almost 30 years, in the republished book.

"Readers could see his original creative process first hand for the first time," he said.

"I think this would be much better than some printer's typeface."

Mr Butterfield said he intended to approach the Wainwright Estate to fully explain the situation and sincerely hoped they would give permission for the project to go ahead.

He believes the project will be a great success as Wainwright's popularity is rising, especially as the 30th anniversary of his death will be marked in 2021.

Mr Butterfield featured in the national press last week when he revealed details of a 'lost' Wainwright book.

The great man was working on the book, which was a 'car accessible' guide to his beloved fells intended for those unable to hike due to physical limitations, in his final months. but passed away before it was completed.