A FATHER-of-two who has just launched his first series of children's books has said the content contains a message for youngsters to learn from.

Witney author Martin Thomas said his books My Mum is There and My Dad Will Do are aimed to give children a sense of their surroundings and encourage them to achieve their dreams.

The 44-year-old said: "I have been working with children's charities most of my life and I sat down writing about six or seven years ago, with the intention at some becoming a published author, and it's finally happened.

"The two books are quite unique in the way children can relate to their parents.

"The books focus on the presence and potential of a mum and a dad in a child's life. I wrote My Mum is there whilst talking with my daughter about the role of her mum in her life.

"The key word that summarised our short but profound conversation was presence – and the amazing reassurance that came from her simple daily experience and expectation of having a mum who is always there."

Mr Thomas told his stories to children at The Story Museum in Oxford last week.

The event give youngsters the chance to do arts and crafts by discovering several different ways to make elephants, which were then be used in the performance of the Dad's book.