STORIES of every day happenings told by a travelling preacher have been gathered together in a new book.

From birthdays to cricket matches, family gatherings to rides at Morecambe funfair, the Rev John Mollitt's collection of anecdotes - Truth in a Nutshell - looks set to strike a chord with many readers

"The background to the book is that, in my preaching ministry I often use everyday happenings to illustrate Bible truths," explained the father-of-three, who enjoys chess and steam railways.

"From time to time, people requested that these anecdotes be put into a book. This year, I eventually completed the manuscript and it was accepted by Onwards and Upwards Publishers."

Mr Mollitt and his wife Pat have lived in Ingleton since 1979 and for 30 years he was minister of Ingleton Evangelical Church.

Since retiring he has become an itinerant preacher throughout the North of England. His travels take him to churches including Kendal's Parr Street Evangelical Church and Heron Hill Free Church; St James' Church, Burton-in-Kendal; Holy Trinity Church, Holme; Nether Kellet Congregational Church; Capernwray Chapel; and Bethel Church, Clapham.

"My wife Pat was playgroup supervisor at Ingleton for 25 years and is now 'Nana Pat' at Settle Playbarn, doing craft activities with the children," said Mr Mollitt, who worships at Kendal's Parr Street church with his wife.

"We have three children and five grandchildren. Andrew teaches in Singapore, Joanna is a social worker in Leeds and Aaron is a multi-handicapped young man who we fostered at ten weeks and adopted at the age of 16."

Truth in a Nutshell - Small Bites of Bible Wisdom for Daily Nourishment, is available from bookshops and Christian publishers Onwards and Upwards, tel 01483-282706, email info@onwardsandupwards.org