An author working in Staveley is using the beauty of his home in the Lake District to inspire his latest work.

John Barrow, a retired airline food safety and public health consultant, is using his golden years to present children with 'whimsical' tales.

Released this week, 'Orson and Maisie: The Doughballs' is the latest in the 'Orson and Maisie' series, with the young readers also encouraged to use their own imaginations to have a say in how future stories develop.

John said: "The book deals with the arrival of new creatures - but domestically created, not intergalactic - in a family home, and the extraordinary powers these creatures are found to possess.  

"Powers which make enormous differences to the lives and lifestyle of the Maxwell family, without my giving too much away, but in doing so, create many practical and ethical problems for the family who must work together in overcoming them."

The Westmorland Gazette: John's 'Orson and Maisie' series allows the reader to have a say in how the story developsJohn's 'Orson and Maisie' series allows the reader to have a say in how the story develops (Image: Submitted)

Having led an incredibly busy working life, John is now using his time in the Lake District to unleash his creativity, alongside wife - and artist - Shae.

John lectured in Zambia for ten years, was Assistant Chief Delegate in Uganda with the International Red Cross and spent ten years travelling the world with British Airways, auditing flight kitchens and crew hotels.

He is hopeful that the new book will entertain as well as educate, serving as a comment on the modern world and how society has changed over the years.

The Westmorland Gazette: John has travelled the globe over the years, but has been inspired by the Lake District to be more creativeJohn has travelled the globe over the years, but has been inspired by the Lake District to be more creative (Image: Submitted)

John added: "It’s a contemporary book in our present era definitely, encompassing modern technology - I am sure most readers would wish it up on themselves because most families would love to stumble into this fictitious situation.

"It’s intriguing, curious and beguiling, and should hopefully leave the reader wondering what they would do should it happen to them."

The story has been published through Kindle and Amazon and is available as an E-book, a paperback, and as a large print edition for readers with visual impairment. 

You can get your copy here.