AN author has had success with two books being published 34 years after he first featured in the Chard and Ilminster News as a creative teenage cartoonist.

Richard Heddington’s stories are based around his fictional friend Henry the Hedgegnome, and have sold hundreds of copies around the world. His first two books have been sold across Europe in Germany and Sweden, and as far abroad as Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Heddington featured in The News in August 1982 as a student at Holyrood School.

He said: “I am sure that you and many of your loyal readers will recall the story you ran on August 19, 1982, about a student at Holyrood School and the cartoon characters he had created.

“There can be few local newspapers with quite the ground breaking foresight of the Chard and Ilminster News, because, although it was to take nearly 40 years, the article was correct when it hinted at Henry the Hedgegnome being published.

“Much to the delight of children across the globe, the first Henry the Hedgegnome book is widely available. I currently have two titles published, and I am working on the next for a pre-Christmas release.

“Sales of the first two titles are in the order of a few hundred so far, and they have sold around the world, including Germany, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand.

“The reaction and feedback I am receiving is most encouraging. Henry the Hedgegnome is such a hit with children that parents are constantly asking me for new titles to read.”

Mr Heddington’s characters have seen inspiration come from all sorts of places, including famous people, fictional characters and his old Holyrood headteacher.

Signed copies of the books are available from at Chard Bookshop and Archway Bookshop in Axminster.

For more information, visit hedgegnomes.co.uk.