THE author of a book set in 1800s St Helens, who had his first story published aged 88, has released its sequel.

The Star reported last autumn when Tony Sweeney, from Eccleston, had his first book 'Light From The Earth' published, which centres on the time Irish immigrants arrived in the country to escape the famine.

And now his second tale We Do Those Shadows Tread has been printed with copies at Wardleworths and the World of Glass.

Dad-of-two Tony, who worked at Pilks for more than 20 years, wrote the stories two decades ago but never went about having them published. However, a friend of one of his daughters, who is a book editor urged him to do so after reading a manuscript.

"This one is more about when the Irish have settled down and it is more about the town than anything else," said Tony, also a granddad-of-two.

"St Helens became a borough in 1868 and it is set a bit before then but they are talking about the possibility of getting a hospital and an improvement commission and out of that grew the first council and mayor."

While the characters are fictitious Tony, who became interested in the history of the town while working as a training manager at Pilks, says there is plenty that readers will recognise.

"I do mention real people in it and real events including a cholera outbreak which really happened. Pilks and the Gambles and people like that are mentioned.

Widower Tony, who was married to wife Margaret for more than 40 years, added: "They have been lying about for years and I never had the means to be able to publish them. I'd like to thank Anthony Mercer who did all of the editorial work.

"I have printed 100 copies and have sold more than 200 of the first one and have ordered more. My friends say they enjoyed it and it's going well in the shops."

The book is available at Wardleworth's on Westfield Street and the World of Glass.