An Ashford author is voluntarily touring primary schools around the town to discuss his newly published children’s book.

Colin Wicks, 53, a property businessman from Kennington published ‘Frances Fidget-Knickers and the Chance to Get Even’ on April 1st.

Mr Wicks orginally wrote the story in 1998 but put it on hold to pursue his career in property.

The author has already visited Bethersden and Victoria Road primary schools during his free time where he held interactive sessions with the children, chatting about the difficulties he had when writing the story due to having dyslexia.

The story is the author’s first published book and centres around a quirky family who are banished from a magical world where Frances takes the opportunity to play tricks on her mean grandad when her parents go away.

The story includes several comedic moments which Mr Wicks found easy to write: “I find it difficult to write things seriously! I can’t do it!”

Mr Wicks hopes that the difficulties he has overcome will inspire children who read the book and during the sessions: “The aim is to introduce the book to a wider audience and to tell the children that just because you might not be good at something does not mean that you stop trying."

Thirty schools have already been provided with free copies of the book for their libraries.

The sequel, ‘Frances Fidget-Knickers and The Reluctant Rescue’ is due to be released in autumm this year.