DUNSTER-based photographer and writer Nina Dodd has joined forces with digital artist Asia Wetherell, of Minehead, to create a book they believe is unlike anything that has been done in the area before.

It has taken them nine months and now the book is almost ready to be published.

‘Witches, Giants and a Ghost Cat - A travel guide to the mystery tales of Dunster’ is set to land in bookshops in September.

The idea came from the realisation that even though Dunster was a popular spot for both visitors and day trippers, there were few travel guides available about the village.

Nina, who owns Scandi-British lifestyle shop Dunster Living, said: “When contemplating writing a book, it was clear from the start that I did not wish it to be a traditional travel guide, but something with an interesting twist.”

Finnish-born Nina, who achieved minor honours in comparative religions and cultural history, as well as a masters degree in English, decided to approach the topic by incorporating historical facts with centuries-old British superstitions and present-day stories of local ‘otherworldly’ encounters.

She said: “The book is written with a dual purpose in mind.

“It can be read as a collection of fascinating stories, or used as a walking guide to Dunster.

“Most of the stories are not scary, but mainly convey the amazement of the people who experienced the strange encounters, and can be therefore enjoyed by readers of all ages.”

When planning the book, Nina knew she wanted to have a strong visual impact, and felt the style of local professional digital artist Asia was perfect for the topic.

Nina said: “I absolutely adore Asia’s work.

“She did her bachelor’s degree in digital media in Australia, before moving to Minehead with her artist husband Tim eight years ago.

“The way she incorporates old illustrations, her own drawings, both of our photographs, and then spices it up with her slightly dark sense of humour, is brilliant.”

As she collected stories for the book from local people, Nina noticed that even though surveys showed nearly half of the British population believed in ghosts and ‘otherworldly’ encounters, some were hesitant to share their experiences in public.

She said: “There is obviously still a stigma about speaking of such experiences, but if these stories are not recorded, they could be lost forever. 

“The stories I have included in the book not only convey what people believed in centuries ago, but also what people in villages like Dunster believe in the 21st century.

“The stories are absolutely fascinating and everybody I spoke with either has experienced these things themselves, or knows of somebody who has.”

Nina, who calls herself a ‘sceptic with an open mind’, and illustrator Asia, have both also had experiences which could be described as ‘otherworldly’.

She said: “I worked for 15 years as a journalist and a photographer in Finland before moving to Exmoor with my British-Finnish family and wrote hundreds of articles on various topics, some of which included supernatural encounters.

“This is, however, the first book I have written, and boy, what a journey it has been.

“I am so grateful for all of the locals who trusted me with their stories.”