An historian is donating all money from his latest book towards the upkeep of Braintree’s public gardens.

Mike Bardell’s book, Whither The Tired Mechanic Could Resort, is about the history of Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens.

Sydney Courtauld, who entered the family’s famous silk-weaving business in 1870, donated land from his garden as a gift to the town’s people.

Braintree and Bocking Civic Society, Greenfields Community Housing and George Yard shopping centre paid for the book’s printing costs.

All money from the £5 sale price will go to the gardens.

It is available from the public gardens cafe and Braintree District Museum.