FORMER teacher Mark Duxbury has finished a book of poetry – 20 years after he started it. He was inspired to publish the volume by the sights and sounds of South Dorset while working as a teacher at St John’s Primary School in Weymouth.

Now, two decades later, he has finally published his ‘Laughing at the World’ collection.

Mark, aged 54, who lives in Weymouth with his partner Ginny Bell, said: “I’m thrilled to have finally realised my dream.

“My friends and family have been so supportive.

“It was an emotional day when the books came back from the printers.

“My mother, who was such a support, is sadly not here to see me realise my dream, but I know she would have been so proud of the finished book.

“The feedback I have had so far has been extremely positive, and with this book out of the way I am now busy finalising my second book which is made up of short stories and is entitled Seaside Tales.

“Where Laughing At The World took 20 years to complete, Seaside Tales has taken two.”

Poetry-loving Mark’s mother’s name was Audrey. His father was Bill Duxbury, who was known as a compere at shows at Weymouth Pavilion and was also a member of Weymouth Operatic Society and the town’s Drama Club.

Mark was inspired to write poetry by walks along the beach, rambles along the heritage coastline and traffic congestion in the summer.

Mark published Laughing at the World by setting up his own company Musemount.com, which he runs with partner Ginny.

Musemount.com produces, publishes and sells Mark’s books.

Artist John Wykes has illustrated Laughing at the World. The poems include an Ode to Tom, which was inspired by a series of characters whom Mark encountered during his teaching years.

Musemount.com also promotes Mark’s music.

He is a member of three bands – Gut & Steel, Tempo and Let Me Out.

Fans are able to use the website to check when gigs are being played, download songs and buy CDs.

Mark has also released a new CD called The Lie. A You Tube video of a ‘single’ from the album has also been launched.

It is called Song of the Sea and features photos of the Jurassic Coast by Andy Collett, a colleague of Mark’s in Gut and Steel.