It is not often you can find a job that combines all your passions.

But author and artist Ian Cryer has managed to do just that.

The 52-year-old who lives in Oldfield Park loves history, English literature and art – and horses and railways.

He has merged all these passions in his series of children's books – based on a working horse on the Great Western Railway, when thousands of the animals were employed in the industry – which he has illustrated himself.

The books are based on his own horses Rachael and Truman, both of which have recently died.

He also owns a horse-drawn cart and a collection of old railway vehicles including a 1920s parcel delivery van which he is currently restoring, which he has taken to exhibitions across the UK with the horses.

Father of two Mr Cryer, who also regularly works shifts as an engine shunter, is now hoping to replace the horses he owned for 20 years and continue writing and exhibiting.

He said: "I have had a lifelong interest in the railways.

"My horses and vehicles have provided the inspiration for the stories and at the exhibitions people have told me a lot of stories about the old days.

"Some of the stories also come from my own imagination and my experiences of driving the vehicles."

He said the dream was for him to eventually hold exhibitions with the vehicles for children who can associate them with the books.

The three books are on sale at selected locations, including the Titfield Thunderbolt in Larkhall, but Mr Cryer wants to sell them in more shops in the city and throughout the country.

He said: "My books are for primary aged children and are a mix of amazing stories with a bit of a historical background.

"My passions are history, English and art and this combines all three."

All of the books are illustrated by Mr Cryer, who is a professional painter and is also the president of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.

He said he has 12 more ideas for books and his fourth A Smashing Time is currently with a firm of publishers.

His other books include Rachael's First Day and Clear Round Rachael.