SOCIAL work is a profession you may not think generates many laughs.

Every week, it seems there is yet another negative story about it in the national press.

But David Emery is hoping to help change that with his new book, Full Metal Cardigan; Adventures on the Frontline of Social Work, which he will be signing copies of in Dorchester on Saturday.

Bury-born David, who now lives in Marnhull, north Dorset, said: “I wrote it to try and capture the humour and unpredictability that comes with working in this profession. I wanted to show that it’s not all about paperwork and unpleasantness but meeting with, and working alongside, interesting and inspiring people.”

In the book, which is published by Fledging as a paperback and an ebook, David chronicles his career in health and social care around the country. It includes international notoriety for cheating in a pancake race, encounters with the supernatural, High Court appearances, accidentally booking someone into Dignitas, waterboarding, plunger-wielding pregnant women and suicide attempts with rhubarb along the way. David first became interested in social work after he started volunteering for a charity, working in residential homes and with young people. Still practising today, He said: “It’s a very enjoyable job where no two days are the same and you never get bored. It’s very rewarding.”

It is the perfect time to release his book as the latest trend in the publishing world is for books about the social and medical professions.

“I’ve had a lot of very positive feedback so far,” said David.

n David Emery book signing, Waterstone’s Dorchester, Saturday, September 29, 12pm-1pm.