Colin Ashby had the idea when a frog unexpectedly turned up in the garden where his grandchildren live with their parents.

Now the Adventures of Freddie Frog has been completed, and Colin, who used to be the principal of Trinity School and is an ardent rugby supporter, will donate all the funds from sales to a Dawlish charity, AIMS, which supports families with children who have additional needs.

Two of his friends, Rosy Holland and Chloe Williams, who both taught at Trinity, supported the project with colourful illustrations, and photographer Ken Holland helped in putting togther the final draft for publication.

Initially only 100 copies were going to be printed, but due to demand more are being produced.

Colin added: ‘AIMS has been supporting families in the region for nearly 30 year. Chloe was also a Trinity student, and went on to study art, and has an exceptional talent. She painted the front cover illustration.

‘I can assure everybody the story does havfe a happey ending!’

Copies of the book, which cost £10, can be bought at the Ashleigh Way Post Office in Teignmouth, the local rugby club, or from AIMS at [email protected]