A DISABLED author and her mother are helping to change attitudes towards disability in Worcestershire and further afield.

Jess Hiles, 30, who has learning and physical disabilities, teamed up with her mum Jo Allmond to write Jess the Goth Fairy, a tale about a fairy with crooked wings who is bullied.

The book was launched at The Hive in Worcester last November and has proved a hit, achieving a five-star rating on Amazon.

Visiting schools to spread the book’s message is now being undertaken by the creative pair and they are calling for more schools to get involved in the initiative.

Mrs Allmond said: “We are visiting our first school next week and Jess is really excited about reading the story to the children.

“If we can get more schools to invite Jess to come and speak that would be great.

“She is getting very confident and tends to inspire people.”

The mother and daughter duo will visit Crabbs Cross Academy in Redditch on Friday, February 6, and have also been asked to speak at a school in Yorkshire and at Miss Hiles’ old school.

Jess the Goth Fairy follows the story of a fairy, based on the real life Jess, who is bullied by a magpie.

But with the help of her friends, including a long-tailed tit and a stag beetle, she manages to show the bully that it is not ok to pick on someone for being different.

Mrs Allmond added: “It has been an interesting journey promoting the book.

“Many people have been lovely but at times people we’ve engaged with have been nervous and found it difficult speaking to Jess.

“There are still barriers to overcome which is the whole point of the book.

“The most important thing is to get the message out there and it has been great that people are reading the book and finding it useful.”

One reviewer, who rated the book five out of five on amazon.co.uk, wrote: “This little book is inspired and inspiring.

“The imaginative story would help young children understand all about the issues of being different and the illustrations are lovely.

“There's not a ‘preachy’ note in the story - well done Jess and Jo.”

The pair plan to also visit student nurses, police cadets and other groups to spread their message and are hoping to publish a second book in the near future.

To invite Miss Hiles to visit a school or other organisation contact Mrs Allmond on 01952 881133, email jot53@live.co.uk or visit facebook.com/jessgothfairy