West Midlands bobby pens charity children's book

And now 50-year-old Pc Colin Evans has penned a children's book to help raise money for the charity Acorns Children's Hospice.

His writing has been a hobby for the past twelve years but became more serious after taking a creative writing diploma back in 2009.

Reginald Growl: Bodyguard Bear' is the latest piece of fiction from the officer, who spends most of his time as an investigation officer based at Stechford police station in Birmingham.

But his first work, published earlier this year, was a far cry from life on the thin blue line and was aimed at a more grown-up audience.

Whimsical Passions was a partly-biographical and self-deprecating novel based on his own personal experiences of life in the 1970s and the twists and turns of a turbulent marriage. It became an eight part series, which Colin decided to self-publish online.

He then set about typing up, illustrating and marketing his first piece of children's fiction, inspired by his own grandchildren Riley and Lexi.

At the same time, Whimsical Passions began attracting buyers on the internet and there was one potential reader whose interest peaked when she noticed the name of the author.

"I had a message one day on Facebook," said Colin. "It was from my childhood sweetheart Gail who'd searched for me after recognising me from the book – which was amazing. We met up again; I hadn't seen her since we were teenagers and now we're engaged. The wedding's in November."

It was after meeting his fiancée – and his mother-in-law-to-be – that Colin got the idea to use his first ever children's book to raise money for charity.

"When I met Gail's family, I found out that her mum works for Acorns Children's Hospice and I thought it was a good cause so I decided I could put the two together.

"Although I wrote the book for my grandchildren; it's suitable for everyone because it's a great story which also combines elements of road safety. It's only been listed for a few months and I'm still in the process of working with Acorns to try and market it.

"I also enlisted the help of three other officers, a member of police staff and local horror writer Dan Weatherer. The book would not have been possible without their additional stories."

He said his colleagues have also been interested in his writing career, adding: "It certainly raises a few eyebrows. Word has got around though and I've been contacted by a few other police officers who've said they had always thought about writing. I just said to them 'well give it a go and I'll have a look' ? so they did and now I'm reviewing their books and even taking on some publishing for them too."

Lisa Kenway-Smith, community fundraising administrator for Acorns, said: "It's fantastic that Colin has chosen to donate profits from his book to Acorns and a very kind gesture. Acorns relies on income from donations and fundraising to provide us with the majority of funds we need to operate so support such as this is vital."

Colin's book is available to purchase online, where all proceeds will go to Acorns Children's Hospice: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Reginald-Friends-Dan-Weatherer/dp/1495944859.