Former Falmouth and Camborne MP turned author David Mudd, has published his latest "epic".

The paper back book will no doubt appeal to all age groups, although it is aimed primarily at children. Called Clarence the Cornish Choughl. The stories involve Clarence who is one of less than the remaining two dozen of the rare chough family of birds.

In addition to seeing a great deal of Cornwall Clarence puts on his magic hat whenever he wants to go back in time to meet famous Cornish people.

He sees all sorts of people, including the builder of St Michael's Mount, the mermaid of Zennor and takes tea with Saint Piran. There is even a meeting with King Arthur.

The stories should keep young people interested in some of the folk history of Cornwall, says David, who now lives in Tavistock. The former Falmouth based journalist who later became an MP added that grown-ups too have been "caught enjoying the stories".

"As far as I know it's the first time that Cornish folk-lore and tradition have been experienced by a talking and time-travelling Cornish Chough," he said.

Not only is the setting Cornish, but 66 per cent of the compilation team are Cornish too. Helen Clark who collaborated with David in adapting his stories for younger readers was born in St Petersburg and later lived in the Untied States before moving to Plymouth where she is a teacher.

But Kerry Opie, illustrator of the delightful drawing, grew up in Cornwall and now lives at Sennen. She qualified in Falmouth in fine arts, design and graphic arts.

Clarence the Cornish Chough is available from this week at £5.99 from bookshop or direct from the publishers Retreat Publications, The Retreat, Down Park Drive, Tavistock, PL19 9A8H