A MUCH-LOVED Runcorn moggy has been brought back to life.

Billy The Town Cat, a regular visitor at the former tourist information centre, inspired author Stephen Clarke to write a book.

He read his magical tale to children at Runcorn Library.

Dad-of-two Stephen, aged 59, of Wellington Street, Runcorn, said: “Lots of mums and dads remember Billy. All the cats in the book are real.

“From the age of 10, I wrote poetry and started writing children’s stories when my children were young.”

His daughter Hazel, now aged 24 and an artist, illustrated his book and appears in it as Hazel Hexe, a girl who befriends Billy.

Stephen, who works at Astmoor furniture firm Howdens, said: “On Christmas morning, Hazel presented me with a fully typed version of my story. She had done the illustrations in high definition pencil. I was lost for words.”

Stephen now hopes to get his books published.