A Hindhead man has written his first book.

Hello Little Squirt! A story for children about the secret language of flowers has been written by Douglas Thow and published by Bumblebee Books.

Douglas said: “After a full-time career in political and financial services an active retirement has seen me take up different pursuits and spend more time in the garden and the outdoors.

“One sunny day – in admiring how well my flowerbed looked – I suddenly thought that if, according to Doctor Dolittle, animals can talk to one another, then why not flowers? After all, they are all part of the living world.

“I thought it could make a book, but I sat on the idea for a bit. Then Covid-19 happened and lockdown came, and I thought if I’m going to write the book that would be the best time to do it. It took me about three months to write it.

“The book is available in Grayshott Pottery and Haslemere Bookshop, and online on Amazon and Waterstones.”