A MATCHING Tye author has published her first book of poems, based on the animals living in Wintry Woods, Epping.

Lorna Uglow, of Harlow Road, has written Bedtime Stories From Wintry Woods', a collection of 12 witty and sometimes poignant poems set in the woods close to where she used to live.

Mrs Uglow wrote the book to encourage parents to read to their children at bedtime.

She said: "There are so many working parents who have so little time with their children.

"These stories are very relaxing and feeds their imagination unlike video's which are too fast and overstimulate the brain.

"I admire mothers who read to their children rather than putting them in front of the television."

Mrs Uglow said she was inspired by her experience as a young mother, which she described as "the best time of her life".

She added: "I loved being a mother and was always playing with them on the floor and reading to them all the time. They're my happy memories and suppose this comes out in my book."

Mrs Uglow said it was an emotional time when she was sent her first copy but now hankers to become a full-time writer.

"I was relieved when it was completed and to see the end result, however I cried when the first book was delivered."

"But now I'd like to become a full-time writer. It's been exciting year putting the book together, as well as being a very different and pleasurable experience."