A TRUE story of two young orphans and the farming community that rallied around them when tragedy struck has inspired a book.

As young boys growing up in Stanhope, County Durham, in the 1970s, Phil and Roger Mews lived an idyllic life, with days spent climbing trees, making dens and swimming on the family farm.

But in 1977 their world was plunged into darkness when their beloved parents, Harry and Alma Mews, a well-known farming couple in Weardale, died within weeks of each other. Their sudden death left their eldest son, Richard, who was just 18, in charge of the family farm and with responsibility for Phil, seven, and Roger, five.

The Northern Echo: ORPHANED: Phil and Roger Mews as children. The boys' parents died within weeks of each other in the late 1970s

ORPHANED: Phil and Roger Mews as children. The boys' parents died within weeks of each other in the late 1970s

Forty years later, when Phil, who works in television production, decided to write his first book, he did not need to look far for subject matter.The traumatic events of his own childhood provided more than enough material so with support from him friend, television presenter Sandi Toksvig, and his brothers, he set to work.

Orphan Boys was published earlier this month and will be officially launched at Stanhope Old Hall on Saturday at 1pm.

The Northern Echo: TOGETHER: From left, Phil, Roger and Richard Mews pictured last year before Roger tragically died aged 44

TOGETHER: From left, Phil, Roger and Richard Mews pictured last year before Roger tragically died aged 44

Phil, who now lives in Barrhead in Scotland, said: “I’m proud to have my first book published. It’s been an emotional journey and more so in the last five months since my younger brother, Roger, passed away suddenly at his home in Mallorca. I’m looking forward to getting the book out there for people to read it.

“It’s not just my story, or Roger’s, it belongs to all of our family as family is truly at the heart of my book. I may have lost my little brother, but I truly feel that I have done him justice with Orphan Boys.”

Although the book deals with tragedy, there are many heart-warming moments. When the boys lost their parents, the community rallied around. Most notably, Stanhope Masonic Lodge paid for both of the children to board at Barnard Castle School to ease the strain on Richard.

Weardale residents and those who grew up in the 1970s will also enjoy the accounts of daily life and events like Stanhope Show.

Orphan Boys is available on Amazon. To find out more, search for Phil Mews Author on Facebook.