A CHILDREN S author from Wheathampstead is set to help out her struggling local church by selling copies at its annual Christmas fair. Janet Duggan originally wrote The Christmas Story as Told by Assellus the Christmas Donkey for her son when he was a chi

A CHILDREN'S author from Wheathampstead is set to help out her struggling local church by selling copies at its annual Christmas fair.

Janet Duggan originally wrote The Christmas Story as Told by Assellus the Christmas Donkey for her son when he was a child.

Twenty years later Janet, from Amwell Lane in Wheathampstead, has published her book for other children to enjoy. Now she will be helping St Helen's Church in Wheathampstead by donating proceeds from sales at their Christmas fair to the church.

The book itself tells the traditional nativity story but from the point of view of Assellus, the donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem.

Janet explained: "The nativity story is a lovely story but its getting a bit lost these days. Children love the story and children love animals. I thought it would be a good idea to put the two together. There are very very little changes to what I wrote over 20 years ago and we used fantastic illustrations by my friend Catherine Robertson."

Janet has already sold a number of copies of her book through colleagues of her son who is now 30 years old and serving in the Metropolitan Police.

The money raised by the books will help the church, which has yet to find a rector to fill their vacancy, fund restoration and community projects.

Ruth Jeavons, from the Friends of St Helen's charity, said: "We've had problems recently with being unable to find a rector so times have been tough.

"The Christmas Fair is certainly a big thing for us, and it's very kind of Janet to agree to come along. Times are tough, but we're struggling on and this time of year is obviously very busy for us."

Janet will be selling the books on behalf of the church in Wheathampstead Memorial Hall from 10am to 12.45pm on Saturday.