HUNDREDS of hours of painstaking work have led former engineer Steve Wilson towards a new career as a writer and illustrator.

The labour of his love is a newly published children's book 'Harry Heart has a holiday', a publication he hopes will kick-start a series of story books aimed at teaching youngsters in an entertaining and informative way about how the body works.

Mr Wilson, of Wesley Road, Cinderford, has worked on the idea for he past two years.

"It was inspired by a family friend, Joyce Griffiths, who lives in North Wales. She discovered from treating people that a lot of adults simply had no idea how the body worked. It started the idea that children could learn through illustrated story books and it has grown from there," he explained.

'Harry Heart has a Holiday' is aimed at children between 8 and 11 years old. It has taken Mr Wilson around two years to complete.

"I reckon to be able to complete one in 12 months but that would be working at it full time," he said.

To market the book Mr Wilson is offering to speak in local schools and has already arranged to talk to children at Cinderford's Forest View School.

The book is also available from the Forest Bookshop at Coleford and from major on-line book retailers. Details are also available from harryhearthasaholiday.com