A STOURBRIDGE spiritualist minister has put pen to paper to tell the story of his life's quest to confirm the existence of an afterlife.

Eric Hatton, president of Stourbridge Spiritualist Church and one of Spiritualism's best-known ambassadors, launched his long-awaited autobiography Taking Up The Challenge at a packed gathering on December 30 at the Union Street church that he has been involved with for 62 years.

Around 130 people from far and wide turned up to celebrate the publication of the 84-year-old's story, which has been long-awaited by Spiritualists across the UK.

The book, the result of a 60-year search for evidence of survival after death, documents Eric's first-hand experiences of spirit communication and healing - and gives an insight into the work of prominent mediums of the last half a century.

Sue Farrow, former editor of the Psychic News, described Mr Hatton - honorary president of the Spiritualists' National Union - as "a legend" in the spiritualist movement and added: "This is why Eric's book is so important. Eric is full of integrity and the sort of person whose testimony is beyond doubt."

While Roy Stemman, who wrote the foreword for the book, added: "Very few people who have Eric's experiences have shared these with people. He's captured quite unique moments in the history of spiritualism."

The respected great-grandfather, who ran a wholesale stationery business in Cradley Heath for 50 years, began his quest for answers after the death of his brother Bert in 1946 - and it continues to this day, although he says he is satisfied he has, along the way, found "irrefutable proof" that there is existence beyond the grave.

Eric, who dedicated the book to his beloved wife Heather - who passed away in 2007, said: "She would have been very proud - she tried to persuade me a number of times to write down some of my experiences.

"My hand's still shaking from all the writing I've done, but I found it very interesting and in some cases intriguing to go back over it - and I'm rather pleased by the way people have supported it. It was a great compliment to see all the guests at the launch."

Published by Saturday Night Press Publications, the 249-page book is available from the church on 01384 825060, direct from Mr Hatton on 01384 396955 or online from Amazon.co.uk