A TAUNTON based children's author is celebrating the publishing of her latest picture storybook this month.

Beth Webb is a professional storyteller and an experienced children's author whose books include the Fleabag series and The Dragons of Kilve (both Lion), as well as her more recent Star Dancer.

Her latest book, released on Friday (January 26) is called The Junkyard Dragon.

Nearly six-year-old Daisy is desperate for a dragon for her birthday, and not just any old dragon!

She wants a jaw-snapping, scale-rattling, wing-beating, fire-breathing real live dragon, but just where can you find one of those?

Daisy's long-suffering but resourceful family try all they can to give Daisy what she wants - visits to see dinosaurs at the museum, to the zoo to look at caiman and crocodiles, dinners in the shape of twisty-twirly dragons (with bacon for wings) - but however hard they try, things just aren't quite right.

But when Daisy's mum comes up trumps on the day, Daisy discovers that a little love and imagination is the greatest gift of all.

Beth has been performing The Junkyard Dragon in schools for a number of years - a 45 minute performance including music and movement suitable for KS1.

Beth will be performing The Junkyard Dragon at Priorswood library in Taunton on February 19.