A WOMAN from Calne has written a series of children’s books inspired by stories told to her by her father.

Lizzie Brinkworth, 31, of Quemerford, has written and published, with help and support of her other half Tim Henley, five children’s stories that were inspired by bedtime stories her father, Alan Brinkworth, would tell her and her sisters.

Miss Brinkworth, who works for Wiltshire Police in Devizes, said: “I grew up on a farm in Yatton Keynell with my two sisters. My dad made up bedtime stories for us about a ball he called Billy.

"He had three friends, Timmy the tennis ball, Freddie the football and Roger the rugby ball.

"My sisters and I always had fond memories of Billy the ball and just over a year ago I decided to write, illustrate and publish a Billy the ball book to surprise my dad.”

After the years passed Miss Brinkworth couldn’t remember the exact storylines that her father used to tell her, so gave her own twist on them.

“I couldn’t remember the exact stories from my childhood and because I wanted it to be a surprise, I couldn’t ask my dad, so I introduced more characters and some new stories.

"I surprised my dad and the rest of my family in November with my first book ‘Billy the ball’s big bounce’. The look on my dad’s face was priceless.

"He had no idea at the time that a bedtime story he made up all those years ago would be around now for his grandson to enjoy. I'm very proud to have been able to do this for him."

The books are on sale from Miss Brinkworth’s website www.billytheballbooks.com, on Amazon or from Allington Farm Shop in Chippenham for £5.99 each.