The stark beauty of the Shropshire countryside has inspired many a writer, artist and photographer.

But while most seek to portray a picture postcard rural idyll, Shropshire photographer Simon Denison actively seeks out aspects others prefer to ignore.

And his latest collection of work, which goes on show this month in Birmingham, is set to bring the beauty and industrial past of the Clee Hills to life.

In recent years, the Shropshire photographer, who lives close to the Clee Hills, has made a name for himself with his striking black and white images of the countryside.

But a recurring theme in his work is the traces left by man in a seemingly unspoilt landscape, and the subject of this latest book and exhibition gave him plenty of scope to explore his theme.

Now largely deserted apart from a few hill farms and villages dotted around their slopes, the Clee Hills were once a vast hive of industrial activity.

Dhustone, a highly prized building material, was quarried here until World War II, and a long mining history stretches back centuries.

Each activity has left its scar on the landscape, and today the hills are dotted with mine shafts, ruined industrial buildings and abandoned quarries.

But the photography show, Quarry Land: Impermanent Landscapes of the Clee Hills, adds another dimension that mere landscape photography leaves out - the people who live in the landscape.

Simon interviewed and photographed people who live and work on the Clee Hills today and includes their stories alongside their pictures.

Chestnut Trees in conifer plantation, Brown Clee, from Quarry Land by Simon Denison. See our gallery from the exhibition and book

These local residents and workers include hill farmers, a telecoms engineers, a forester, the son of a quarryman, a local historian and a pub landlord.

Each has their own fascinating take on life in the hills, from tales of planes crashing on the hills during World War II to the pub jukebox that used to pick up Radio Moscow and the persistent fog that often shrouds the slopes.

From this collection of landscape photographs, portraits and stories, Simon presents an insight into life in a close-knit rural community where many of the residents have lived for generations.

Quarry Land opens at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham on 12th March and runs until May 1st, and will then go on tour.

It's also to be the main visual arts attraction during the Ludlow Festival this summer, when it will be seen at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms.

The show is accompanied by a book, Quarry Land, which has been published by Greyscale books. All pictures and text in our photo gallery are taken from the book and exhibition.