CARTOONIST Cluff is celebrating the launch of his first book of drawings from the front pages of The Northern Echo.

Cluff, alias John Longstaff, has been the paper's cartoonist since 1990, becoming a firm favourite with readers.

John, who lives in Darlington, has also had cartoons published in a wide range of newspapers and magazines including The Times, Private Eye, Punch, The Spectator, and The Literary Review.

Volume One of "A Year Of Cluff" looks back at the highlights of 2004, the year of the Olympics, Euro 2004, the regional government referendum, the Quakers crisis, and the political storm over the war in Iraq.

It costs £4.99 and is on sale from today at The Northern Echo's offices in Priestgate, Darlington.