Telford’s Harry Billington has made quite a sacrifice to achieve his ambition of getting his first book into print at the age of 79 – he and his wife Lucy used up their holiday money to pay for it.

“We decided we were getting a bit too long in the tooth for going away on holidays any more, particularly as my wife is not as sprightly as she was.

“We decided that with the money we usually spend on a holiday once a year we would achieve my lifelong ambition and get one of my books into print,” said Harry, a retired heating fitter.

The result is “Dinosaur Tales”, a collection of verse and stories for the young at heart. The “dinosaurs” of the title are older folk as viewed through the eyes of the young.

It features drawings and pictures by Llanymynech-based illustrator Jon Larter and getting it published cost Harry between £1,200 and £1,300.

“When I saw the book I was so elated, because I thought ‘I’ve done it at last.’ It’s wonderful. Even if I don’t sell enough to recover the cost, it doesn’t matter, because I’ve achieved what I wanted to do.”

The couple moved from their Aqueduct home to a bungalow at Wrekin Housing Trust’s Frizes Leasowes sheltered housing scheme in Ketley Grange in 2000.

Scheme manager Kath Stevens said: “Harry has had a lot of fun writing the stories and poems for his book, and everyone at Frizes Leasowes has been entertained and amused by them.

“Harry’s book just goes to show that moving into sheltered housing doesn’t mean giving up on ambition and creativity, but can give people more time to enjoy their hobbies and pastimes.”

Harry said: “I said to my wife that if I can recover the costs on this one, I will print another of my stories. We won’t bother with holidays any more.”

Dinosaur Tales is available directly from Frizes Leasowes sheltered housing scheme on 01952 610537 or for £5 plus postage by writing to Harry at 4 Frizes Leasowes, Ketley Grange, Telford TF2 0EY.