THE tale of 'Tabitha - The Story of a Much-Travelled Cat' was a real pleasure to write, says its author Helen Harris.

Helen, from Whitchurch, has written many books, including The Industrial Archaelogy of Dartmoor and a further such volume on the Peak District. She is a co-writer on the History of the Bude Canal and written publications on the Grand Western Canal and the Haytor Granite Tramway.

She is also the chairman of the Tavistock branch of the Devonshire Association and vice-chair at county level, much in demand for talks on her specialist subjects. The writer has also contributed a variety of articles to the Times over the years.

So what inspired Helen, now 84, to change tack from more 'academic' subjects to the life of a much loved and well travelled moggy?

'My daughter Jane (a former St Rumon's School pupil who is a chartered management accountant), went to live and work in the United States for seven years, moving around from Michigan and Connecticut before returning to this country three years ago.' said Helen.

'Wherever she went she took her cat, Tabitha, who was a very special cat indeed. When Jane came back to this country we went through some lovely photographs she took of Tabitha and I thought that with some text it would make a lovely book for children.'

She took her idea to the publisher Book Guild and they agreed, asking her to double her 1,000-word draught as they thought it was such a good idea that it would not only appeal to the young reader but cat lovers everywhere.

The book is illustrated with around 50, fine feline photos of its star, Tabitha, enjoying life with owner Jane Tabard (Mistress Jane in the book) on both sides of the Atlantic.

'It's completely different from anything I have written before and was most enjoyable to do. I like cats, and was very fond of my last cat, Bertie, who, like Tabitha, was a special cat, said Helen.

'Strangely enough when the books came back from the publishers they came in a cardbord box - which was very similar to the one on the front cover, featuring Tabitha. It was very exciting to see — it was just like pulling Tabitha out of the box!'