Bird stories help author's career finally take flight

BIRD watcher Brian Blanckley did not have to look far for inspiration when launching his writing career.

- Tony Henderson

As he observed a blackbird in the garden of his Sunderland home carrying a beak full of nesting material, he hit on the idea of a children’s book which followed the story of how the parent birds raised their family.

Now at the age of 83, Brian is celebrating the publication of his book Fly, Fly Blackbird.

Having been a member of a Sunderland art club for 15 years, Brian illustrated the book himself.

The cover features the bird against the backdrop of Penshaw Monument, a favourite place.