A CHADDESLEY Corbett amateur poet has put together her first collection at the age of 76.

Janet Dickinson writes and performs humorous poems and tales from her life at various events across the region.

At her shows she was constantly being asked for a copy of her book so finally put together Poems of a Shropshire Lass last month.

Janet said: “I’ve always done volunteer work such as helping at a centre for elderly people. About 25 years ago, I told them I wrote poems and performed one.

"They asked for another and then, by word of mouth, I was suddenly travelling all over the place entertaining.

“In September I was at a party and three separate people told me where I could get my book printed. Both my sons wanted me to do it so here it is. I’ve sold 97 copies in one month.”

Janet spent 38 years delivering library books to the elderly and didn’t have a paid job until she was 61. She worked in a village shop until she retired at 69.

She has also spent a lot of time looking after members of her family as her mum went blind in her later life and her dad suffered from dementia.

She also had a son, Tony, who died of cancer aged 21.

Janet added: “You can hide a lot behind a smile. I can’t go about making other people unhappy.”

Janet’s poems vary in style and genre. The collection includes a comedic tale called The Day I Got Locked in the Loo but also features a heartfelt tribute entitled To My Son Tony. For more information, call Janet on 01562 777245.