AN established Malvern artist has widened his artistic range by publishing a book of poetry.

Ian Fearnside has found considerable success as an artist and illustrator, but his new book Child Against Time he explores an alternative side to his expression.

Poems in the book, which he also illustrates, cover a range of topics from his family to the past and observations on Malvern and life around him.

"I've written poetry all my life," he said.

"A lot of artists have been writers in their own right. Visual arts and poetry go together, they are way of expressing yourself.

"I've had quite a varied life and I think we learn from all the experiences in life and it's the best way of expressing it. I express it through my paintings and I express it through my poetry."

Mr Fearnside, who lives in Barnards Green, said he drew inspiration as a poet from a number of peers, most notably Bob Dylan.

"I'm a very great believer that Bob Dylan is the greatest poet alive, and the poet laureate agrees with me!" he said.

"I love Keats, he's one of my heroes, Dylan Thomas is one of my heroes but Bob Dylan is a genius," he said.

Of the book's title, he explained: "I realised when I got to 45 that I hadn't matured. I still had the same attitudes that I did when I was younger, so I decided that I was too old to mature."

Child Against Time is available from Beacon Books, Malvern and all good bookshops, priced £3.50.