A NEW book about the highs and lows of fatherhood has gone on sale in aid of a children’s hospice.

Peter Barron, father-offour and Editor of The Northern Echo, has published his fourth book in the Dad At Large series, based on his column in the newspaper.

The book, called The View From The Doghouse, was officially launched at the Butterwick Children’s Hospice, in Stockton.

For every book sold, £1 goes to the children’s hospice and so far nearly £20,000 has been raised through Dad At Large.

Mr Barron said: “It’s about children, so it’s nice that a children’s charity benefits.

“I’m delighted that the book is associated with an organisation like the Butterwick Children’s Hospice, which performs such a special service.”

The book, which costs £5, is on sale at The Northern Echo’s offices in Darlington and Bishop Auckland town centres.

Mr Barron will be doing a Christmas book signing at The Northern Echo’s head office in Priestgate, Darlington, between noon and 3pm on Saturday, December 20.

He will also be signing copies during the Santa At The Station events at the Head of Steam railway museum, off North Road, in Darlington, on Sunday, and on Sunday, December 14, between 2pm and 4pm.

The Northern Echo’s deputy editor, Chris Lloyd, will be joining him this Sunday to sign copies of books from his Echo Memories series.

*Graham Leggatt-Chidgey is chief executive of Butterwick Hospice, which will benefit from sales of the publication