OVER the centuries authors have celebrated York's churches, streets and architecture - but Kevin Beresford is the first to single out its roundabouts.

The enthusiast has pulled together a collection of his 12 favourite roundabouts for an unusual calendar that is due to go on sale later this month.

Kevin, 53, shot into publishing with his first book, Roundabouts of Great Britain, and soon expanded his library to Slough, Swindon and Milton Keynes.

But when York residents drew his attention to the roundabout at the junction of Malton Road and Heworth Green he couldn't resist visiting the city to see for himself.

In fact, Mr Beresford was so taken by the different coloured cycle lanes and chevrons on the central island that he was involved in a minor accident.

He said: "It was an unfortunate experience. You should always remember the safety aspect when roundabout spotting, but I got carried away and slightly shunted another car. Kevin began his unusual hobby as an alternative to images of "fireman with six packs", and he has since been so successful that his last book sold 20,000 copies.

He said that the huge book and calendar sales have been accompanied by the formation and growth of The UK Roundabout Appreciation Society, of which he is the president.

He now offers spotting trips to unusual roundabouts throughout Britain.

Kevin, of Redditch, who gave up his printing company to concentrate on the books, added: "The roundabout is the most expressive transport system in the world

"We have around 30 members, although most of them are men, and unfortunately my wife refuses to join.

"I was attracted to York because other roundabout enthusiasts drew my attention to the cycle-friendly roundabout in Heworth, which is renowned for being safe.

"Love of roundabouts is a very English thing.

"Maybe it's because we are an island race."

Updated: 10:27 Monday, October 03, 2005