A Cockermouth man who had to give up work after being diagnosed with Parkinson's found solace in writing and is delighted to have published his first book.

Malcolm Parker, 71, worked for 30 years in the motor industry, including 22 years at Dobies Garage in Lilyhall.

He moved to Washington Central Hotel, owned by Dobies, in 2012, as receptionist with a view to retiring in 2016.

"However in 2013 I was diagnosed with Parkinson's, a degenerative, neurological disease, and finished work almost immediately," said Malcolm, a father of two who lives with his wife Dorothy and son Stephen.

"I went from an active life to sitting at home."

He was put on medication. "The side effects were that I was having very vivid, but relaxed colourful dreams about all sorts of things, which were later written down by me and converted into a book."

Malcolm spent 12 to 18 months writing his sci-fi novel and was encouraged by friends and family to publish it. Called "The Alien Visitors" it is available on Amazon E Book and Amazon KDP Paperback.

"My main character is a 64-year-old bachelor, living alone in a remote cottage near the east coast in Central England.

"All names used, human or alien, other than my own, were picked at random to fit the context of the characters.

"Which can’t be said about most of the place names of the towns or villages set in the UK. They are mostly very much real places, especially the ones in the beautiful Lake District."

He was delighted to receive his first copy of the book. "I was so pleased and proud of myself," said Malcolm.

"Parkinson's brings issues on a daily basis, this goes a long way to show disabled people that if you put your mind to it you can achieve anything."

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