AN ULVERSTON children's author and illustrator have teamed up in an attempt to raise £5,000 to self-publish a book.

Amy Stretch-Parker and Kate Brunskill want to make 'Peter Digs a Den' a reality and will be launching a Kickstarter campaign to help make it happen.

The short rhyming children's story is based on Amy's partner Pete, and his experiences as a child growing up in Coniston.

"We wanted to make this book and do it local," Amy, the writer of the poem, said. "I looked into a publisher but it's really difficult to get a publisher when there's two of you and I didn't want to lose Kate."

Amy, 40, sent the poem to a few editors but said that the feedback she often received was that there needed to be less local references.

"It's a Cumbrian poem about children growing up in Cumbria," she said. "I'd have to change the whole book!"

With roadblocks in the way of traditional publishing routes, the pair decided that if they budgeted meticulously and utilised their creative contacts they would be able to raise the necessary funds.

Kate, who has been involved in Ulverston's Fine Fest and PrintFest among other events, said that this would be her first 'proper professional project'.

"I got really bad arthritis when I was younger and it got really bad a few years ago," the 32-year-old explained. "And that's what spurred me on to do lots of drawings. Now it's something that I'm trying to make money out of flexibly because I can't fit into a normal job because of my arthritis."

For those donating to the Kickstarter campaign, there are perks on offer - these include a copy of the audiobook, a thank you in the book and framed original sketches.

Amy, who has a creative background, having been a piano teacher and run creative writing workshops in the past, has plans for what she would like to do after the book comes out.

"Once the book is out there my idea is to go into schools and run workshops," she said. "Creative writing workshops about where you live and encourage that sense of pride in your own local history and to look at doing more stuff outside."

The Kickstarter will launch on May 1 and more information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/peterdigsaden/