A COLLECTION of poems and quotations has been published to give an insight into the lives of people living with spinal injuries.

The book, entitled Voyages, was created after poet Kevin Cadwallender visited the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

He spent several hours talking to staff and patients before writing his poems and combining them with illustrations by graphic designer Colin Hagan and the story of Captain Cook's voyages.

The book is part of the South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust's Healing Arts Project which aims to provide health, healing and a sense of well-being for the community through the use of art.

Mr Cadwallender said: "It's a beautiful book. Colin has been very sensitive to the words and I just want to thank everyone who took the time to talk to me.

"I let the patients and staff lead me but found myself listening to the transcriptions over and over again and constantly snipping and changing bits right up until it went to the printers.

"I did not want the book to be miserable. It is dark but I was conscious it should be accessible."

Newcastle-based artist Bridget Jones, whose glasswork, based on Captain Cook's voyages now takes pride of place in the spinal injuries unit, said: "This has been a fantastic project for me, not least because of the collaboration with other artists."

The book is available, priced £8.50, from Margaret Baily (COR) on (01642) 282540.