From Janet Kipling, Exeter 383654, July 03, 2008

creates some animal magic at Honiton Library

Eccentric animals and their even more eccentric owners form the basis for the new book by vet Malcolm Welshman, who will be visiting Honiton Library next month.

Malcolm Welshman has worked as a vet at London Zoo, in a small animal hospital and as a consultant specialising in exotic animals.

Now retired, he lives in Somerset with a menagerie of pets, roe deer around the house and badgers in the garden.

Malcolm has been writing about animals for many years and has had over 200 articles published. His first novel, Pets in Prospect, draws on his wealth of personal experience to produce a highly entertaining book which will appeal to all animal lovers.

Set in a Sussex animal hospital, against the backdrop of the South Downs, it tells the story of newly qualified vet, Paul Mitchell, and follows his engaging exploits in the first six months at the hospital. It's the equivalent of a modern-day James Herriot and the first in a planned series.

Executive Member for Culture, Councillor Sheila Hobden, said: "This is one of a wide variety of events being held throughout Devon Libraries to mark the National Year of Reading."

Malcolm's visit will also coincide with Honiton Charter Day.

Malcolm Welshman will be at Honiton Library on Friday 25th July at 7.30pm.

Admission by ticket only, available now from Honiton Library (01404 42818),