A RIBBLE Valley illustrator is urging green-fingered youngsters to grow their own food in her new book.

Esther Hall, from Wilpshire, has just had her first children’s book, Grow Your Own, released by the worldwide publishing firm Pan Macmillan.

The 39-year-old, who lives in Knowsley Road with her husband, Jamie, and two children, Finn, 10, and seven-year-old, Alice, said she was “delighted”.

She said: “It has been amazing because it has been quite a long time in the making.

“It is lovely to finally see my work in print.”

The book was a joint effort between Esther and her husband, with Jamie providing the text whilst Esther created the accompanying images.

It follows the story of Sidney and his mum who live a busy life in a busy city with ready-meals for dinner.

The former St Wilfrid’s High School pupil said: “One summer Sidney goes to visit his grandmother in the countryside and he finds out about growing fruit and vegetables.

“It is light-hearted and fun. My own children like growing their own food and it makes eating interesting and teaches children about where food comes from.”

The former owner of the Junior children’s clothes and toy shop in Clitheroe enrolled on a children’s book illustration masters course at UCLan before entering a competition run by the publishing firm.

She was highly commended for her work and went on to sign a contract with the global company.