After being inspired by his favourite county, a photographer turned author has launched his new children’s book set on the west Dorset Coast.

Richard Lappas, based on the Dorset/Devon border who continues as a photojournalist, has written ‘Adventure at Muffin Bay’ after he began writing at the age of eight.

However, his love of writing was overtaken by a passion for photography and newspapers and a 40-year career on Fleet Street followed.

His first book, ‘More by Luck Than Judgement’, celebrated some of the famous photographs from his career and the stories behind the images.

His storytelling career has taken a new turn with the launch of his new book for children, inspired by Dorset.

Mr Lappas said: “I first discovered Seatown during the very early days of an assignment in 1985, which involved door stepping Chideock Manor where HRH Prince Andrew and Princess Fergie had rented out as a local base while the prince did his 12-month stint at HMSM Osprey. The first thing we did was assess a good spot for lunch and we discovered the Anchor Inn at Seatown, and I fell in love with the place in an instant.

“It became an inspiration and led me to writing a piece of poetry - I have been writing since the age of eight - and once the poem was complete, I thought about a children’s book of short stories, looked again and thought, ‘no, there is more to this’, and what started as a poem, developed into a short story and has now become a 32,000 word fiction adventure.

“It’s certainly been a huge change in direction, but as time has gone on, I have got more into writing, partly as I’ve also been lecturing at colleges and universities around the region, and if all goes well, a sequel is in the process of being plotted but one project at a time and who knows where it will go.”

The book introduces two central characters, a plucky little boy called Chunky and his new friend Sarita, a bird who can talk. Having met by accident, the pair soon find themselves caught up in the middle of a secret military operation that has gone wrong. So Chunky and Sarita come to the rescue with more than a few surprises along the way.

The book was launched at Felicity’s Farm Shop in Morcombelake on Saturday.