A MUM has achieved her life-long dream of becoming an author after Puffin commissioned a children's book series written by her.

Jen Carney, who lives in Chorley but grew up in Heaton, has always been interested in writing and penned her own short stories as a child, even making her own book.

It's been something she's continued to do as a hobby alongside various jobs she's held, including working for the Bolton Literacy Trust and Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

But it was when her own children were looking for reading material that the idea for her new book, The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. came about.

Jen, 44, said: "Writing is something I've always wanted to do, I even made my own book as a child.

"Obviously life gets in the way and sometimes you have to put your dreams on pause for a bit.

"I did try and get some work published during the 90s. I wasn't quite sure how to go about it and I approached some publishers.

"They said I had a good voice but it never really progressed anywhere.

"One thing I was interested in was creating stories which children really engaged in.

"I did all the drawings for it, and inside are activities and jokes which children will really enjoy."

A key feature of the book is the diversity and inclusivity it contains, something which is very important to Jen.

She added: "My wife and I have three adopted children and I wanted to include a family like ours in the story.

"I began writing this book in 2016 when my then 11-year-old son came to me wanting something to read.

"He loved it, but it was put away in the loft until 2019 when my then nine-year-old daughter was looking for a book.

"I retrieved the story and she thought it was great - she said she wish she could take it into school and though it was cool how there was a family like ours in the book - the main character is also adopted with two mums.

"So I figured I would try to get it published and it took off from there. I'll be releasing two more books in the series with Puffin; a second book Basically Famous in August and a third due in January 2022.

"I can't believe it's actually happening, my message to anyone would be don't give up on your dreams."

The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. was released on April 15.