A bedtime story written almost 35 years ago in Westbury has been published for the first time.

Magic in Fairy Wood was released yesterday. Author Mike Gould, pictured, wrote it for his three daughters Katharine, Sarah and Elizabeth more than three decades ago when they became bored with hearing the same traditional children’s stories.

The retired consulting engineer recently dug the draft, which took several months to write, out before updating it and testing it on his grandson and his friends.

After positive feedback from parents and children Pegasus Publishers offered to publish the book, including Mr Gould’s own illustrations, having seen potential in it.

Mr Gould, who was born in the Somerset town of Midsomer Norton but spent 15 years in Westbury working for Wiltshire County Architects, said: “A friend suggested ‘why don’t you put pictures with it?’ to bring the book alive and I like to do art. The illustrations are how I saw them when I wrote the story.

“I don’t show any of the children’s faces though because I feel it allows the readers to use their imagination and still leaves the mind to work – a very important aspect of reading and storytelling.”

The story tells of two children who are shrunk by a mole while in search of their lost dog in a forest that is affectionately known as Fairy Wood.

The rest of the book follows their exploits as they attempt to return to their normal size, while encountering fairies, witches and elves among other magic creatures.

Mr Gould has already read the book to pupils at Walwayne Court Primary School in Trowbridge and hopes to be able to read it to other schoolchildren.

“The response from adults and children so far has been good,” he said.

“From pre-orders the book has been well received and it is wonderful.”

Despite his first book having only just been released, Mr Gould already has plans in the pipeline for further books, which he believes are a crucial part of any childhood.

“The bedtime story is important for children to use their imagination and to promote reading,” he added.