A NEW Bewdley author has raised more than £1,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK from sales of his first book.

Retired Douglas Jackson's book, Porridge in the Tallboy, is a memoir of his early life at boarding school and about his experiences travelling across Europe to see his parents during the holidays.

He started writing his book on a long-haul flight to Singapore. During the 14 hours at 35,000 feet - embarking on yet another business trip - he reflected on the many journeys he had taken in his life.

The journey follows the transformation from a small, shy boy from the tough streets of Glasgow, to a self confident, young man selling his wares in the even tougher streets of Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania.

Mr Jackson now spends most of his time rowing competitively for Bewdley Rowing Club, but is hoping to continue his new career in writing and is already working on his second book, a guide to international business - drawing on his 40 years experience of exporting around the world.

He said: "The Alzheimer's charity is important to me - my father was 81 when he passed away from Alzheimer's in 1998.

"With it being my first book, I was not even sure I was any good at writing! So I thought I would donate the proceeds to charity."

Porridge in the Tallboy is now available to buy on Amazon - with all proceeds going to support the work of Alzheimer's Research UK.