ASPIRING author John Goodman enjoyed reading stories to his grandchildren so much he decided to write his own.

Now the 78-year-old is hoping his book will become a best-seller as it goes on sale across the county.

Mr Goodman has produced a volume of 10 tales about a young boy and his adventures called The Magical Adventures of Percy.

The retired businessman, who lives in Frome Whitfield, near Dorchester, has told how he was inspired to put pen to paper after reading to his nine grandchildren.

He has now published a selection of his stories and is keeping his fingers crossed the book will give him a big break.

Mr Goodman said: "I've always had a natural rapport with children and have taken great enjoyment out of reading to my children many years ago and nine grandchildren in more recent years.

"My grandchildren are older now so I decided one day that it would be a good idea to write some stories for other children to enjoy.

"They are all based around the adventures of Percy, a boy with magical powers, who lives in a cottage and is friends with many animals.

"I wrote 75 short stories in all, based around Percy, and took so much pleasure from doing so I decided to get a few printed in a book.

"There are 10 in this first volume and it is wonderful to finally see them in print.

"I've worked hard for 40 odd years, first in the Army and then in private business out in Spain, so I'm looking at this as a new challenge for me in my retirement.

"If any parents, teachers or carers get as much pleasure out of my work as I did writing it, I'll be very pleased indeed."

Mr Goodman, who moved to Dorset with his wife five years ago, said his characters include Jack Jolly, Tommy the Parrot and Gregory the Giant.

"I've produced the book without illustrations, apart from the cover, so that children can be encouraged to use their own imagination from the written word," he said.

"I'm hoping this could be my big break - a couple of publishers are interested in further books but I'll wait and see what happens. Hopefully, there will be more of Percy's adventures in the future."

The Magical Adventures of Percy, priced at £4.99, is available from bookstores in Dorchester, including Words Etc and Ottakar's.