A RAMSBOTTOM author paid a special visit to a primary school this week to share his heartwarming story and the magic of nature.

Danny English, the founder of the Summerseat-based CommuniTree outdoor education company, gave an assembly and reading of his new children's book The Happiness Tree at Holcombe Brook Primary School.

He also helping the school to raise funds for a new outdoor learning by donating profits from book sales.

The book is an environmentalist fable telling the story of a world drained of its happiness, which is miraculously stored up in a tree and can only be freed by a courageous young girl together and a magical creature.

It was inspired by Mr English's years of work with children and adults, including in the borough's schools, where he strives to help people enjoy the educational, wellbeing and developmental benefits of the natural world.

Mr English said that the reading was "great fun", adding: "I have a longstanding relationship with Holcombe Brook Primary School and the children that I have worked with there have inspired a lot of my work as a writer.

"The whole book is about getting kids into the outdoors and enjoying the health and wellbeing benefits.

"Some of the children have heard the story in the woods before. But it was great to read it on the stage, and this was the first time that the children got to see the wonderful illustrations ­— it's as much a picture book as a story book."

After the assembly each child was also sent home with an order form for Mr English's book, and £1.99 from each book ordered will go towards funding an outdoor learning space at the school.

This week the school are also planning to plant their own happiness tree in their grounds.

Headteacher Gill Evans said: "We have worked with Danny over many years. As a school we have links with Communitree and Danny's story telling, so it was great for the children to hear the stories come to life meaning the children were really engaged."

Mr English is now encouraging any other schools that would like him to visit, share his passion and help them fundraise, free of charge, to get in contact.

He said :"If we can help other schools to raise some money through the book I would love to get involved and I would love for them to get in touch."

For more details email Holcombe Press on schools@holcombepress.com.