A POET and illustrator who has raised more than £15,000 for charities has published his fourth book.

John Nursey, a consulting structural engineer, of Flaxton, North Yorkshire, hopes his latest illustrated collection of poems called A Song of September and Other Verse will continue his fundraising success.

Proceeds from his books have gone to several charities.

Mr Nursey said: "This book continues in the same vein as the three earlier books, containing a mixture of nostalgia, general observations on modern life and some humour.

"Its appearance is almost entirely attributable to the continuing surprising success of the earlier books; although I have to say that I write this stuff purely for my own amusement without much concern about what others might think of it."

More than a dozen of Mr Nursey's poems have been set to music and performed at shows.

He hopes a selection of the poems will be available on a CD this year, performed by David Goodwin, of Helmsley Arts Centre.

A Song of September is available in most bookshops priced £5.50, or £6 by post from Mr Nursey at Forge Cottage, Flaxton, York, YO60 7RW.