A NEW book, Country Stile, will soon be available in Wotton-under-Edge.

Printed in the town by Clarendon Press Gloucestershire Limited, it is a project undertaken by local farmer Alec Grey, from Symonds Hall Farm.

Throughout his career as a dairy farmer, Alec Grey has written rhyming poems about the countryside, farming life, his family and community.

He said: "I wrote only one a year for ten years and then, after my son suggested I write a book, I was lucky enough to be able to write most of these poems over the next six months.

"I have been very fortunate to have had such a helpful team behind me, including my wife Sheila and our four children."

A host of local characters are featured in this first book, from friendly Mrs Tilley, 'country character' Conway of Harescombe, tractor-driving 'young Jim' and calf-feeding Tara, to Mrs Evans on her birthday.

Local artist Jo Wilson, daughter of Jackie Sims who has given so much to the Wotton community, designed the book, illustrating it with more than 30 original paintings and drawings.

The pictures convey warmth and beauty associated with the characters and the countryside, with a touch of humour alongside the appropriate rhymes.

Lin Russell-Jones has written a foreword, although it actually appears on the back cover of the book, in which she praises the writing as 'refreshingly pure and simple, written from the heart'.

Lin runs the Novel Hovel bookshop in Market Street, Wotton-under-Edge, and is a member of the Wotton Dramatic Society.

In addition to people Alec Grey knows, he praises Rosie the calf, Little Mow the fawn, a blackbird leading the dawn chorus and the soothing coo of wood pigeons. Country Stile is priced at £6.50. It is on sale at The Novel Hovel and from Alec on 01453 860041.

Contributions from the proceeds will benefit local charities, including The Meningitis Trust and The Cotswold Care Hospice.