A MUM-OF-TWO from Malmesbury has written a series of children's books centred around her rural upbringing.

Project manager Joanna Collingborn, aged 47, grew up on Hillside Farm near Chippenham and decided write two children's books, Stuck in the Mud and Sledging in the Snow, to share her love of rural life with young readers.

The author's family have farmed in Wiltshire for more than a century and watching her children Teddy, aged 14, and Maxi, aged 12, on the farm has brought back fond memories from her childhood.

Stuck in the Mud and Sledging in the Snow have both been released by Cirencester publisher Crumps Barn Studio and have been illustrated by award-winning illustrator Anna Platts.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Joanna Collingborn Joanna Collingborn (Image: Joanna Collingborn)

Despite the rain, a lengthy queue formed outside Crumps Barn Studio - which is situated in The Waterloo, Cirencester - on Saturday, November 18 of keen readers eager to get their hands on a signed copy of the new books.

Joanna said: "Hillside Farm is an organic dairy farm, so we’re always working closely with nature and animals.

“As a child, I spent a lot of time on the farm feeding calves, kittens, lambs and lots more.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Joanna Collingborn at the launch event at publisher Crumps Barn Studio in CirencesterJoanna Collingborn at the launch event at publisher Crumps Barn Studio in Cirencester (Image: Crumps Barn Studio)

"Those memories, coupled with my love of nature and farming are the reason I have been inspired to write.

"Now my children Teddy and Maxi are getting to experience life on the farm, and their relationships with Granny and Grampy are so inspiring.

"I hope that other children can now enjoy the same way of life through my stories."

Lorna Brookes, editor at Crumps Barn Studio, said: “When Joanna first shared her stories with me, I knew that a new series of children’s stories about adventures on a Wiltshire farm was going to be a lot of fun.

"Stuck in the Mud and Sledging in the Snow are very funny, and really cosy because Granny and Grampy are real.

"The launch was such a happy day, with so many children waiting to get their books signed by Joanna.”

Stuck in the Mud and Sledging in the Snow by Joanna Collingborn and Anna Platts are available in bookshops now.

More information about the author and the books can be found on https://www.crumpsbarn.online