A FURNESS illustrator has been collaborating with a New York Times bestselling author on his latest novel.

Retired teacher Janet Pickering, who lives at Dalton-in-Furness, has provided the artwork for British-born American novelist Andrew James Hartley's Cold Bath Street.

"This is the first real book I’ve illustrated so I’m rather excited about this," she said.

The opportunity came about as Mrs Pickering is currently training to be a full-time children's book illustrator at the University of Central Lancashire at Preston.

There will be two signings for the book in Waterstones, Preston (Sunday April 15) and on the university campus Thursday April 12), while Barrow's Waterstones branch is also arranging a signing for a date in May.