THE AUTHOR of a poem which stirred the emotions of Mancunians has seen his words turned into an illustrated book.

Prestwich poet Tony Walsh, aged 51, delivered a version of his poem This Is the Place, an ode to the city of Manchester and its people, at the vigil to remember the city's terror attack.

Mr Walsh read the poem to a packed Albert Square the day after the suicide bombing.

On Sunday he also attended the One Love Manchester benefit concert and, while travelling home on the tram, shared his poem with commuters.

His words have now been transformed into a book by a team led by Doodledo Motion’s James Torry, a group of local creatives, designers, illustrators and photographers who each produce artwork based around a line from the poem.

Mr Walsh said: “After such a devastating and tragic event, I hope that this poem now acts as a symbol of pride, passion and defiance of Manchester’s people and as a beacon of hope for the future.”