A preacher has raised more than £300 for charity through the sale of his first book.

Bob Brunger, 67, said he spent five years researching The Miracle of Jesus - a book which chronicles the life of Jesus, "written as if Jesus was a real man".

Mr Brunger, a retired metallurgist for British Steel, lives in Skelton and has spent the past 40 years preaching.

One of his main interests has always been in the Methodist church and his desire to publish a book dates back to his early days as a preacher.

He said: "I took early retirement and, given that I had a lot of time, I set about researching."

Mr Brunger pledged a donation for each book sold in memory of his good friend, Robert Carter, known as Jack, who suffered from multiple sclerosis for more than 30 years and was murdered in his New Marske home last year.

Mr Brunger added: "When I was working as a metallurgist, Jack joined us and we began working on the same site. He developed MS in his early 30s.

"Eventually, his problems were so great he took early retirement, but a group of us would meet socially - that group grew until there was about 12 to 15 of us. We got talking about religion, Jesus and miracles and so it gave me the idea to write the book.

"Jack gave me tremendous help and a purpose in writing. After he died, I made two decisions - to get this book published in memory of him and that however many books were sold, I would give a donation to MS Research."

The books, priced £9.99, are available from bookshops in Guisborough and Yarm or by calling Mr Brunger on (01287) 650711.