A BURY pensioner has released her first book of poetry at the ripe old age of 86.

The book, titled 'Flights of Faith and Feeling', showcases the life's work of Brenda Lynch, a resident at Spurr House Short Stay Service in Unsworth, and has been released with the help of Bury-based poet Chris Bainbridge and his collaborator Eve Nortley.

While many of the poems are said to reflect Brenda’s Catholic faith, there are also other pieces with themes such as love, loss war, the pressures of urban life, marriage, and the beauty of nature.

Chris, who used to edit a Bury FC fanzine called 'The Hatchet', said: “It is a stunning book. Eve and I feel very privileged that we have been able to bring it to the light of day.

"I first met Brenda in 2004 when I worked for the ambulance service, and I used to take Brenda for day care at Fairfield Hospital.

"About four years ago I discovered she had a talent for poetry. Brenda had heard that I wrote, and one day I was passed a piece she had half-written, asking if I could finish it.

"I was able to do so and performed the resulting piece in public on her behalf, to a good reception.

"Two years later I was intrigued to receive a small exercise book, full of hand-written poems, which Brenda asked me to look at. This was joined last year by a second exercise book.

"Eve and I were so impressed by the rich imagery and powerful emotion of Brenda’s words that we quickly decided that more people really should see her work."

Born in Enfield, Middlesex, in 1931, Brenda left school aged 14. One of her earliest jobs was working in the BBC gramophone library, where she came into contact with Sir Adrian Boult.

She later worked in hospitals, and recalls that one day she was in the appointments department at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital when she noticed Prince Charles, who had come to have his tonsils out.

Throughout much of her adult life, Brenda suffered from bouts of severe depression, but despite her health problems, has always been a keen artist with a strong interest in classical music.

In 1967, she married her husband Frank and moved to Radcliffe.

Frank passed away in October, before the book was finished.

Chris and Eve have financed the book through a group they set up called the Wild Words Writers' Collective, which aims to help more people get involved in creative writing and performing.

Her husband Frank passed away in October, before the book was finished.

Chris and Eve will showcase some of Brenda's poems by performing them, along with some of their own, at an open mic night at Bloom Coffee House in Bury on the evening of Thursday, April 26. The event begins at 7.30pm.

Books will be on sale for just £5 each.