ROSSENDALE could be God’s country after all, according to a new book of comic bible verse.

Robin Parker is behind the satirical collection of 12 holy stories which centre on Edenfield, Bacup and the Rossendale Valley.

The former councillor penned the 40-page collection ‘Edenfield Scrolls’ after becoming inspired by a poem by Lancashire dialect writer Marriot Edgar, who wrote prolifically about working class Lancashire life in the 1930s.

Called ‘Three Ha’pence a Foot’ it relayed a farcical conversation between an Irwell River-based joiner who bartered with Noah over the price of wood for his ark.

Mr Parker decided to build upon the poem’s characters and spent five years rewriting bible stories in humorous and punning verse.

Among his efforts are ‘Joseph’s Multi-coloured Dream Trip’, a tale of a man’s magic mushroom experience in the Rossendale Valley, an ale lovers' wedding titled ‘The Wedding at CAMRA’ and the creation of the garden of Eden in Edenfield. The book, published by Proud Publishing and launched at Rochdale Literature Festival last month, has also been turned into a CD performed by Lancashire dialect expert Sid Calderbank.

Robin, 69, who hails from London and lives in Rochdale, said: “Edgar’s poem got me thinking that if one bible story could be located in Lancashire, why couldn’t more? Edenfield was the obvious starting point because of the name so I built up some of the secondary characters referred to in his work and tried to replicate his style of using a semi-Lancashire dialect.

“After I’d finished writing it, it then seemed natural to ask Sid if he would like to create an audio version. I’d love to do a reading in Edenfield in the future so if anyone would be interested in hosting me there, please get in touch.”

To buy Edenfield Scrolls at £11.99, visit www.web. proud-publishing.co.uk/uk-shop.html. Email Robin at robinparker@hotmail.co.uk.