FOLLOWING a long period of ill health after the breakdown of his marriage, Bromyard shopkeeper Julian Sergeant has published a beautifully illustrated, limited edition children's book, aimed at six to 10-year-olds.

Dragon Tears is the poignant story of a dragon who's imprisoned and loses all his strength, stripped of his gold scales.

Freed from his dungeon by a mouse, the good dragon learns to fly again, finds his mate and the strength to fight the bad dragon.

Julian has had the help of many friends and colleagues and much of the illustrative work was completed at art classes run by Herefordshire Mind, and supported by Leap educational services.

He has secured a place at Herefordshire College of Art and Design as part of this retraining and recuperation.

At present he runs a small shop/caf in Market Square, Bromyard. In an Aladdin's cave of curiosities, most of which are for sale, Julian has a collection of games to keep children amused.

They can also create a page for Julian's next print run of Dragon Tears, or a peg doll to enter in this month's competition.

It is not many caf signs which read "beware of the dragon" at the top of the basement stairs, and Brakes is definitely out of the ordinary.

In the back there is a 12-panel window depicting a blue and green dragon, and a wall image of a red dragon.

And in the basement, you can discover a two-foot dragon's head, made by Julian.

The book has been privately printed with help from Julian's former work colleagues at the RSPB and is available from the shop, or by mail order. Profits will go to the RSPB, Herefordshire Mind, Fathers 4 Justice and local heart charities.

Julian has three children, Tim, aged 10, Edwin, eight, and Lucy, six, who is currently unable to see.

The caf is open from Friday to Monday (01885 488449).