A LIBRARIAN has turned author and written her first children's book.

Elaine Mills, who works at Barnard Castle library, has written Rainbow Day, which was officially launched during an event organised by the Friends of Barnard Castle Library, on Saturday.

The 30-page book is situated in the fictional village of Giddy Pockets and asks the question "who or what is the Bollymangle".

It includes an adventure with an old lady, a phoenix and a lot of magic before revealing the truth about the Bollymangle, with illustrations by Stephen Robson, from Stanhope.

Miss Mills, who formerly taught English and drama at Tynemouth College, in North Shields, and Derwentside College, now runs the toddler group at the library and often reads to children in local schools.

She said: "I had been starting and stopping different things for years, but once I got started with this, it only took a couple of weeks to write.

"By running the toddler group and going into schools, I got more of an idea of what children like.

"I was delighted to finally see it in print."

The book's publishers, Austin and Macauley Publishers Ltd, describe the novel as "a thought provoking and imaginative tale for children aged six and under, with evocative illustrations".

Copies, priced at £5.99, are available from Miss Mills, at Barnard Castle library, or online at amazon.co.uk.