A KEEN walker from Tockholes has put pen to paper in an attempt to preserve the village's beauty and raise £3,500 for the local school.

Alex Heede, 60, has spent £5,000 of his own money writing and printing a guide to Tockholes for walkers.

After starting the book, called Country Pub Walks from Tockholes, six years ago, the routes and pieces of village history became a forewarning to villagers to preserve the countryside before it's too late.

Alex, Wildlife Trust member and campaigner to protect rural England, said: "There are 16 walks featured in the book and all of them start off from one of three pubs in Tockholes.

"It's such a beautiful area and I've been living and walking here for the past 30 years. We've lost so much in the village in terms of shops and commercial ventures and the town is turning into a commuter village. The countryside is being neglected more and more these days and we're gradually losing it.

"The school here is the centre of life in the community and it is a very valuable asset to Tockholes. The school needs to continue providing the best possible service for this village."

Alex, of Old School Lane, is used to walks in the Lake District where he was brought up, and goes for regular walks in the Tockholes countryside with his two dogs -- Airedale terrier Kilda and border terrier Tuppence.

His wife, Elna, died three-and-a-half years ago, aged 58, after a long battle with cancer.

He said: "Elna used to do a lot of the typing for me right up until her death. She was a teacher and, even after she retired, she would help out at Tockholes School, teaching children to read.

"In my mind the book will be dedicated to her."

Barbara Cocken, headteacher of Tockholes Primary, said: "I'm very impressed and I don't know what to say, it's absolutely fantastic news.

"We could do all sorts of things with a little more money and we have on-going building at the school. We would love to extend the computer suite. We are all very grateful for Mr Heede's efforts."

The book features hand-drawn maps, of which Alex is particularly proud.

He said: "I am very pleased at the maps because I think it's something a little bit different. The longest walk in the book is around 16 miles to a pub in Chapel Town and then there are shorter four-and-a-half mile ones to the Sunnyhurst Pub near Sunnyhurst Woods.

"I'm hoping that walkers will really enjoy the book and will get a lot out of it."

The book will go on sale in information centres across the area and pubs throughout Tockholes at £8.50. Alex is hoping to sell 1,000 copies, making up the £5,000 production costs and £3,500 profits for the school.