A N author is using her new book to raise awareness of childhood alopecia.

Bea Davenport suffered from alopecia for more than 20 years and first lost her hair at just eight-years-old.

Her personal journey has inspired her debut children’s book, The Serpent House, which includes a character with the condition.

She said: “I strongly believe children should be able to see themselves in books and should be able to read about young people like themselves.

“A long time ago, writers realised there was no reason why the hero of a story shouldn’t look or act different to the norm but I’ve never found another book where the main character has lost her hair.”

The Northumberland author will work with Spennymoor-based charity BeBold to promote her book and raise awareness of the condition.

The charity works in a variety of ways to offer advice and support to families and individuals coping with the condition.

BeBold’s director Darren Payne said: “A book which features a character with alopecia by an author who has personal experience of it is another way that children suffering with hair loss can feel normal and positive about their condition.”

The partnership will see advance copies of The Serpent House sent to young alopecia sufferers to read and review.

The Serpent House, aimed at children aged nine to 12, follows the adventures of time traveller Annie, who has alopecia.

For more information, visit curious-fox.com/products/serpent-house.