A former Maldon resident has published a book which began as a bedtime story for her children, after her son encouraged her to continue the story following her daughter's death.

Jo Doyle, who now lives in Battlesbridge after living in Maldon for over 30 years, originally wrote the first chapter of Pony Talk for her children around 30 years ago.

As life went on, she put the book to one side.

Then, in 2006, her daughter sadly passed away in a car accident.

"My daughter and I were very horsey, and we had a couple of horses between us," Jo said.

"When she died I sold my horse and everything because I couldn't cope.

"It wasn't until two or three years ago that my son said to me: 'Mum, that story you used to read to us - why don't you elaborate on it and make it into a book?'"

Jo did exactly that, entering lockdown in March 2020 with just four chapters to finish.

Using the time to her advantage, she completed and self-published Pony Talk with Chelmsford-based publishing company Grosvenor House in October of that same year.

The children's book follows the adventures of 10 pony club riders and their talking ponies on their quest to find Tarzan, a little black pony who goes missing in the first chapter.

Jo said: "It's all about their adventures and what they get up to - each chapter is a different adventure."

One of the chapters is inspired by Jo's experience as a Saturday volunteer for Barrow Farm, a specially-equipped riding centre in Chelmsford which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to ride horses.

Jo said: "The ponies go to a stables for disabled riders down the road from them and help out on an open day."

Not only is part of Jo's life in the book, but it has long been a part of her life.

She said: "I used to carry a notebook around with me and jot down ideas - if I suddenly got an idea, I would jot it down in the book.

"I was doing things like that to build up the stories."

Another important part of the writing process for Jo is humour.

She said: "You've got to have cheeky bits in it - excitement and things like that keep the children interested.

"I've got cheeky donkeys and goats in there and things like that."

With the "bug" for writing books, Jo is already halfway through another children's story based on Sherlock Holmes.

"It's still about horses that talk but it's a completely different type of story," she said.

"I also started writing it as another little story for my children, and it now elaborates on that."

Jo's children, who continue to inspire her writing process, get special mention in Pony Talk.

She said: "I started it for my children when they were young, and I finished it because my daughter died and my son suggested that I do it for her.

"So it's dedicated to my son and in memory of my daughter."

Pony Talk is available to buy on Amazon using the link here, on Kindle and in bookshops such as Waterstones.