A COMMUNITY champion is hoping to bring people together and celebrate diversity with his new children's book.

You Scratch My Back by Chris Shongedza is an animal adventure story featuring a cast of colourful creatures whose lives in the African kingdom of Namaqualand become threatened by farmers from the outside world.

Despite their initially uneasy and sometimes conflicted relationship, the animals and the farmers learn the blessings of equality and diversity and discover that they are important and need one another to live in peace.

Mr Shongedza said: "I wanted to use the animal kingdom to be an expression of how we can live together as human beings.

"If I can use animals to promote peaceful co-existence among ourselves that would would help us move forward as a community.

"No matter how small you are or how big you are you are part of this ecosystem."

Originally from Zimbabwe, Mr Shongedza moved to Bury in 2002 and has had a passion for writing from a young age.

His interest was encouraged by his parents, who were teachers and community leaders, and throughout his life Mr Shongedza has penned numerous poems and short stories in English and Shona ­— his mother's tongue.

You Scratch My Back has been more than five years in the making, and finally made the jump from concept to page with help from Mr Shongedza's children Nyasham, Farai, Maruva.

He said: "The book's message is about enhancing the wonderful relationships we already have in Bury and to set an example to other areas which are suffering prejudice."

A special launch event for the book will be held at Bury Town Hall from 2.30pm on July 2017 and Mr Shongedza will be signing copies of the book for attendees.

He is also hoping to run supporting events in libraries and schools in the borough and beyond in the near future.

Last year Mr Shongedza set up a new youth group to support young people into employment ­— Hi Definition.

The group aims to give people entrepreneurial skills to start a career or a business offering support through networking opportunities as well as workshops and guidance on building confidence, CV writing, job interview techniques and more.

For more information on the book visit www.youscratchmyback.net.