A DISABLED author and her mother launched their debut children’s book at The Hive in Worcester yesterday – and hope the story will change attitudes towards disability.

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 pair were on-hand at the public library on Saturday, November 22, to sign copies of the self-published book, while a reading of the novel and children’s craft activities including wing-making and a drawing competition also took place.

Miss Hiles, of Redditch, said the event had been “fab” and that writing the book was a “very good” experience.

On a flyer promoting the book she added: “I am disabled. It can be hard, people stare and laugh at me, sometimes they bully me.

“I know I look different, but I feel the same inside as everybody else.

“I have written a book with my mum about a disabled fairy and her friends.

“I hope it will help everyone to understand how it feels to be like me.”

The story follows Jess the Goth Fairy, a character 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 said: “The event has been phenomenal and the interaction with the young children and families has been great.

“There are no children’s stories out there about a character with a disability and the message of our book is that it is ok to be different.

“We want to show the public that people such as Jess can achieve so much.”

The book is available from Amazon and local book shops.

For more details call Mrs Allmond on 01952 881133, email jot53@live.co.uk or visit facebook.com/jessgothfairy