A NEW children’s author hopes to book herself a place in the Cumbrian bestseller lists.

Mother-of-three Fay Lakin’s first hardback book is entitled Wilson & Fay Sail The Wayfarer.

Illustrated with original watercolours by artist Catherine Beale, it describes an eventful sailing expedition involving Fay and her 10-year-old springer spaniel Wilson.

“It’s the book I’ve wanted to write for years,” said Fay, 37, who, with her mother, runs the family-owned Pier Cottage Caravan Park at Coniston.

“Wilson is a wonderful family pet. He has a lovely calm nature and is loved by everyone who comes into contact with him. He is a star in our lives and the star of the book.”

Aimed at parents (and grandparents) to read to three to five-year-olds, the book can also be enjoyed by literate older children and even grown-ups, said Fay.

“One of our site regulars has just ordered a copy for her 30-year-old son’s birthday as he has such treasured childhood memories of sailing holidays in the Lake District,” she said.

The book, which costs £7.99, is based on a real-life event and Fay has been working on it for the last few years.

“I was having dinner with friends and they told me it was time I got my book to print!” she explained.

Whilst Wilson and Fay do face watery tragedy in their first literary outing – but no spoiler alert as to how they actually fare – the author insisted there were no hidden meanings in the story.

“It is not a metaphor for anything else, it’s just a simple adventure story for children to enjoy” she insisted.

Fay named Wilson after her grandparents (their surname) who originally bought Pier Cottage from Furness Railways in the 1950s.

She has had Wilson since he was a puppy. Her 11-year-old son Bobby used to hang on to his ears and ride him like a horse when he was little.

“Wilson never protested, never growled, he just loved being around the children. I’m sure anyone who has ever had a beloved family pet will understand why I have had to immortalise Wilson in this book,” added Fay. “He is simply a wonderful dog.”

Outlets in Cumbria stocking the book include: Coniston Launch; Gondola; The Swallows & Amazons Tearoom, Bankground Farm, Coniston; The Swallows & Amazons Tearooms, Coniston; Just for Ewe, Coniston; Sam Read’s Bookshop, Grasmere; The Cedar Manor Hotel, Windermere; and the Hedgehog Bookshop, Penrith.

It is also available direct from Fay’s own website www.wilsonandfay.com.