A POET has had extra copies of his latest book printed, for the family of heroic teacher Gwen Mayor, who died in the Dunblane massacre three years ago next week.

Gwen, 45, who grew up in Great Harwood, died as she tried to save the lives of the children in her care when gunman Thomas Hamilton burst into the gymnasium at Dunblane Primary School on March 13, 1996.

Sixteen youngsters died in the tragedy with her.

Three years on, John Joinson, of Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, has given copies of his 14th collection of poems to her parents-in-law, Thomas and Frances Mayor, of Great Harwood, and her daughters Esther, 24, and Deborah, 23.

In July, 1996, John wrote four poems about the Dunblane tragedy as a special gesture to Thomas and Frances Mayor, who are close friends of his.

Now he has produced a book called "Interesting Poems", a collection of verses about events and places which he has visited.

He has written about his own memories and his experiences of life.

The book includes a poem about St John's Church in Stonefold, where John's poem "No More Benita" is displayed.

That is his tribute to the late Benita Moore, the well-known writer and broadcaster who died last year.

John began writing as a hobby when he retired at 60 and he is a keen member of Age Concern Hyndburn Writers' Group.

He was urged by friends to put his ability to good use to raise money for Barnes Square Methodist Church in Clayton-le-Moors where he is a treasurer.

So far his books have raised £700.

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