A FORMER reporter has hatched a daring tail of rescue, loyalty and airborne adventure set among a flock of swallows in Arnside and Silverdale.

The former newspaper and BBC journalist, who is now based in Storth, took early retirement from the world of news to indulge in pure escapism and pen a book about another kind of world.

Peter Harrison’s book Creakwing’s Crossing, which has been likened to Watership Down, features feathered characters including thieving jackdaws, a captive yellowbird, an ingenious blue tit and a wise old owl.

But the lynchpin of the tale is the “wise and venerable leader” of the swallows - Creakwing. Too old to undertake the annual journey to the warm south, she decides to go it alone and winter in the cold north – recognisable features in the book include Leighton Moss nature reserve, Kent Estuary salt marshes, the tidal bore and Dallam Park rookery.

The story, which was born when Mr Harrison first began to wonder how the swallows were faring when they vanished each September, is literally a bird’s eye view of the world and humanity.

He writes: “What is not generally known, however, is that all this time the swallows have also been observing us and listening to the sound of our voices”.

Essentially a tale about migration, his book gives a glimpse of another imaginary world, which is founded on birdsong and freedom.

Creakwing’s Crossing, by Peter Harrison, is published by Authors OnLine Ltd at £8.99. Copies are also available from Rock Cottage, Throughs Lane, Storth, Cumbria.

For further information, log onto www.authorsonline.co.uk.