A book of poetry celebrating life in Dorset towns and villages has been released.

April Lee, 86, from Wyke Regis has published a book of poetry documenting life in the area.

Mrs Lee says the book, called Precious Memories: Whimsicals on Wyke, Weymouth, the Isle of Portland and Beyond, includes poems which are both funny and poignant.

“I write about funny episodes and humorous tales, my love of the area of Wyke Regis and even about homelessness,” Mrs Lee said.

She added the “misadventures” of Charlie, her rescue grey hound are also well documented in the book.

Mrs Lee’s love of writing began many decades ago and in 1994, she published a small booklet of her poems which she said had been “well received”.

Her poems have also been published in the Dorset Echo on several occasions.

However, after the publication, Mrs Lee stopped writing for almost ten years as she said she suffered from a serious case of writer’s block.

“One day my husband was going through the drawers and found a stack of my old poetry. He said ‘what a pity you don’t write anymore, I always loved reading them’ and from that day I started writing again,” Mrs Lee said.

Alongside her newer work, the original booklet has now been incorporated into the new book accompanied by sketches done by Mrs Lee’s late husband, John Lee who was a well-known local artist.

The couple managed the small hotel in Brunswick Terrace, Weymouth for 24 years before retiring to Wyke Regis when Mr Lee became a full-time artist.

Mrs Lee said her husband was very fond of Wyke Regis. He passed away in 2014.

Her book is now available from the Old Wyke Village Store and costs £15.

A percentage of each sale will go to charities helping the homeless.