A GRANDMOTHER has used the location of family holidays as the inspiration to write her first ever children’s book.

Heather Wilshaw had always enjoyed making up stories to tell her own children and grandchildren, when one day inspiration struck.

“As a family we always used to go to Mudeford Quay,” the 64-year-old said.

“Even after the children grew up, me and my husband would go back. I was enjoying watching all of the people crabbing by the sea wall.

“I saw how many times a day these crabs were caught and thrown back and my imagination took over. I thought there must be a whole little world down there of the crabs sitting there waiting for the lines to come.

“I said to my husband someone should write a book about this. and he said well ‘go on then, you do it’.”

And so, a new series of children’s books were born by the Oakley resident.

Back to School is the first in the series by Mrs Wilshaw where she explores the world of Lower Mudeford and follows the journey of the young crabs on the seabed.

However, it was not as simple as putting pen to paper for the new author.

Mrs Wilshaw added: “I didn’t realise how much logistics would go into the process of the book.

“Working out how many words went on the page, making sure all the images matched up it has been a real learning experience.

“When I finally got the final book through it didn’t feel real to have the book in my hand.

“It is all a little bit surreal, and I have had a lot of fun making this first book and already have plans for the series.”

Mrs Wilshaw also does all the illustrations for her book herself, adding: “There is something I like in the simplicity of the drawings my grandchildren draw for me, so I wanted to carry across this simple idea in the pictures I was drawing.”

With Back to School available on Amazon as well as a copy being available at the Basingstoke Discovery Centre, Mrs Wilshaw is already working on book two.

She added: “Lower Mudeford is the title of the series as I am doing some more books to follow on. I am working on my second book at the moment, that will be called Crab Lines.”

To buy a copy, go to amazon.co.uk/School-Lower-Mudeford-Heather-Wilshaw.