A new range of local history booklets has been published this year including Smuggling in Deal, Stories and Myths from the Goodwin Sands and A Stroll Along Middle Street Deal.

Volunteer local history writers at Deal Maritime and Local History Museum have produced the booklets, which cost £3.50 each or three for £10, and more titles are planned – including one on local shops and another on Deal Pier.

Author Judith Gaunt has written the smuggling and Middle Street titles with support from local authors Gillian Chiverton, Steve Glover, Michael Rogers and Andrew Sargent.

Museum trustee Sheila Legg says the booklets are already proving popular. She said: “They make ideal lightweight gifts, particularly to send to friends and relatives overseas for birthdays and Christmas.

“The Middle Street conservation area publication includes some historic photographs that show the changes to the area. The booklet acts as a great guide for visitors as well as local people and we have had interest from owners of B&Bs who want to stock them for their guests.”

These booklets and other gifts, including I Love Deal Mugs and local keyrings, are on sale from the museum during opening hours.

Copies of the booklets can be purchased via the museum website’s PayPal facility and can be forwarded to addresses within the UK and overseas. Details of arrangements, including postage and packing, are available at www.dealmuseum.co.uk or by emailing museum@dealmuseum.co.uk.

The booklets are also on sale throughout the year at the Visitor Information Centre, Deal Town Hall, during normal opening hours, 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday. From April to September, the centre is also open from 10am to 2pm on Saturday.

Deal Maritime and Local History Museum, at 22 St George’s Road, Deal CT14 6BA, is open from April to October. The October opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 2-4.30pm, Saturday 11am to 4.30pm, and 12–4pm on Sunday.