HE IS known as the birdman of Balmoral, he is a favourite artist of the Queen and now he has donated his latest book to his home city.

Wildlife artist James Alder presented his Birds of Balmoral Book, written for the Royal family, to Newcastle's Lord Mayor, Mary Carr, yesterday.

Mr Alder was brought up on stories of family members shooting tigers before he started work as a "boy artist" on the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, aged 15.

In 1941, he joined the RAF but was grounded after a lung haemorrhage and ended up as a wireless operator.

In 1978, Mr Alder produced a book on animals and birds, which was presented to the Queen Mother.

"When the Queen Mother realised how good I was a drawing birds and flowers, she asked me to produce a book for her," he said.

"The first book was titled The Birds and Flowers of The Castle of Mey, which is sited in Caithness, on the northern coast of Scotland.

"The Queen saw it and commanded me to produce a similar one for her. The book was identical, except it was called The Birds of Balmoral.

"Both Royals each got a copy, which constantly amused them. It gives me great pleasure to donate this to the city on the year of the Queen's jubilee."