THREE friends from Wyre Forest are celebrating the release of their first children's book, which tells the story of the young owner of a magical moonstone.

Pocket Moon has been created by JAK, who are illustrator, John Fairman, of Windermere Way, Stourport and co-authors, Alison Martin, of Marlpool, Kidderminster and Kerrie Robinson, of Foley Park.

The book tells the story of a nine-year-old boy, called Matthew Seymour, who goes blind.

He goes to a school for blind children to learn to adapt to his new disability, where he makes new friends, including a boy called Bobby, who gives him a moonstone for his birthday.

The moonstone contains magical powers, which allows Matthew and his friends to travel on different adventures each full moon.

Mr Fairman said the friends, who work for the same company in Cutnall Green, were inspired to write the book after visiting a school for children who were blind or had other disabilities.

He explained they found the visit very moving and learned a lot from the experience, adding: "When we got back, we thought what can we do, we need to do something, so we decided to do a book."

It took eight weeks to write the book, which contains more than 300 pages and 40 illustrations.

It is the first in a series of five and it is aimed at children aged 12 and upwards, as well as adults.

Mr Fairman said they were enjoying their hobby, adding: "We got carried away with the idea and it has grown. We are very proud of what we have done and we believe in it.

"Friends who have read it have enjoyed it and have said we should carry on with it and see where it goes."

The friends, who will be donating some of the proceeds to charity, have already finished the second book, which will be released in several months time, and are working on the third.

Pocket Moon is available from A Touch of Class, Lombard Street, Stourport. Further information is available from www.j-a-k.com or by e-mailing jakmoonstone@aol.com