Simon gives nod to past in book.

Falklands War hero Simon Weston has written a green- themed children's book. A Nod From Nelson features a retired carthorse and looks at environmental themes from pollution to pond biodiversity and is full of colourful characters and jokes.

The story features talking animals including an undercover frog, a couple of rats, a duckling rugby team and a lost pigeon, who pull together to avert an ecological disaster at their home.

The book, written for six to 11-year-olds, also features illustrations by artist Jac Jones.

Mr Weston said he used experiences from his childhood in the Valleys as inspiration for the tale.

He said: "When I was growing up in Nelson, we would see rag-and-bone men and fruit-and-veg sellers with a horse and cart every day.

"If we had a day off school we would go down to see the local blacksmith shaping metal with bellows and a furnace - we were fascinated. Children just don't know anything about these old trades any more, so I thought I would bring them back in this book.

"Children already have Postman Pat and Fireman Sam, so I also brought the book up to date by including Mike the Milk, a character based on our current milkman who is well known in the Valleys.

"I wanted to show how milkmen do so much more than deliver the milk. They really get involved in the rural and semi-rural communities they serve."

Although he wrote the book several years ago, with his children James, 16, Stuart, 14, and Caitlin, 10, in mind, he gave it to a friend's daughter to read to see if it was "a winner" - and she liked it. He is already a best-selling adult author. Walking Tall was number one in the best-sellers' list and Going Back stayed in the top 10 for eight weeks.

n A Nod From Nelson is published by Gomer and priced pounds 7.99. It will be launched on Thursday, January 31.