A BOOK series bringing tales of the countryside to children is set to take the literary world by storm -and it was created right here in Bury.

Rod Simpson has taken his tales of farming and love of the countryside to create Farmer Dan, a series of books following the life of a farmer and his big brother Stan, teaching youngsters some important messages about enjoying the countryside.

The books have already proved a hit with children in Germany, Malaysia and Russia and are now being considered by two major broadcasting channels, with former-local BBC newsreader Martin Henfield voicing Farmer Dan. They were launched at the London International Book Fair last year and went straight to the top, with Harrods being the first shop to sell them. Since then, the books have also been on the shelves of Waterstones, more than 100 farm shops and parks across the country and two leading supermarket chains have also expressed interest.

Rod, who works with wife Liz in their own design and advertising business, said: "We were asked to do some work on a new children's character but that fell through and we were asked if we knew of any other characters and I said yes, actually I do' and told them about Farmer Dan. There has never been a farming character. We have Postman Pat, Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder but never a farmer. All children can relate to farms and the animals, even if you don't live in the countryside because our stories are bringing the countryside to them."

Rod, of Horsham Close, Bury, has penned more than 60 stories for Farmer Dan and takes his inspiration from his family's farming background and their stories of life in the Lake District.

Liz said: "We think children learn a lot easier from something they enjoy and in our books there are subtle morals on how to be a good person and little things such as not frightening the animals, or closing a gate behind them. We never imagined it would get this far but we have plenty of plans for Farmer Dan!"