A MAN who could not read as a child but learnt as an adult has reached a remarkable achievement and written a book for children.

Adrian Iles, from Crediton, explains: “I could not read at all as a young child but my mum and dad were incredible and helped me so much.

“I slowly got a bit better, but it was in the 60s so school could only help me so much.

“I had such great stories in my head but I could not get them on paper.

“By the time I thought of how to spell and write the first couple of lines, the lesson was over.”

Adrian said that his mum and dad’s help and encouragement was “crucial”, adding that without it, he wouldn’t be able to read to this day.

He continued: “They were always helping with books to try and read and spent a lot of time helping me, but in just half an hour I would be exhausted and the tears would be streaming down my face.

“When I was young, I remember asking my dad, ‘Do I have to learn to read?’

“He would say, ‘Well, if you ever have children, would you not like to read them a book?’

“He was right, and I was able to read to my children many years later, but, at times, it seemed an impossible task.”

Adrian added: “I tried different ways to remember how to spell and to give myself my best chance of getting a pass mark in my CSE English.

“I really wanted to achieve a pass mark.

“I was doing around 16 hours on homework at a weekend, sometimes more, as well as homework in the week.

“My English result came in and I got a 6 = fail.

“Years later I retook the exam again and again and eventually I got a C = a pass at last!”

Today it is different for Adrian.

He explained: “I often look after my twin grandchildren each week. They are nine and they have made me realise the stories I tell out of my head are great stories.

“With help from a good friend and his computer and the grandchildren on ideas on how to draw pictures like a child would see things, I have written my first book called ‘Jenny and Tom’ which is available on Amazon.

“Look up Adrian Iles and it is top of the list.

“My granddaughter said the other day ‘The best book in the world is Grandad’s book! and they decided to try and write a book themselves. What more could I ask for?”

Adrian’s first self-written and illustrated and self-published paperback book is priced at £4.99.

It is written to appeal to four to six year olds.

Adrian said: “Like any three year old Jenny has many questions, searching for knowledge about the world she is growing up in. She looks to Tom, her four year old brother for answers. Tom is only too pleased to pass on his wisdom to his little sister.”