THOSE many Times readers who are familiar with the works of Tavistock author Ted Sherrell will definitely not be disappointed in his latest collection of short stories.

The strength of any book penned by the prolific Mr Sherrell lies in his obvious affection for his native West Devon and its people.

Each story is written with a tongue firmly in cheek and a wit and wisdom, accrued from a lifetime's experience of observation of his fellow Devonians, that leaves the reader with a smile and looking forward to the next enthralling tale.

What is so refreshing about his stories is that the richness and diversity of his characters and the situations he places them is so utterly believable. Don't be fooled by the 'idyllic' backdrop of some sleepy rural town or village where many of his stories are set. All human life is truly represented there - for better or for worse!

Parish councils, local magistrates courts, village pubs and the farms of West Devon are 'the battleground' for his characters.

Mr Sherrell obviously draws upon his many years as a Tavistock Town and West Devon Borough councillor for some of the 'short' gems found in this volume.

In 'The Church Organ' the Parochial Church Council is divided after a trendy new vicar wants to sweep away centuries of tradition by doing away with the eponymous organ and install a 'happy clappy' musical accompaniment to their services instead. This revolutionary proposal provides the excuse of 'political opportunity' to tip the balance of power when one of the female members leads a coup d'etat and throws out the established chairman. What follows is an attempt to restore the 'old regime,' eject the upstart insurgents and retain the beloved organ. It's obviously a case of a parochial council not singing from the same hymn sheet — sadly, an 'oh so true,' ageless example of man's (and women's) struggle for power and domination at even the most basic political level.

Another tale of the same ilk is 'The Monitor' when the parish council procrastinate in having to commit monies to the playing fields dressing rooms. If a Cornish parish council could promise to deal with a problem put before them 'dreckly' then their counterparts over the River Tamar perhaps would 'monitor' the situation. What is delightful in any Ted Sherrell tale is the author's observance of the council members; the pompous, retired solicitor who chairs, the councillor who is looking at his watch rather than taking too much notice of the issues because he doesn't want to miss a football match live on the television or the rational and business like postmistress whose good, practical sense has to be ignored at all costs. All believable stuff! It all ends, like many a Sherrell saga, with a wickedly humourous twist in the tale.

The story of the reluctant man who tries every means possible not to give into technology before being forced to succumb in accepting Sat-Nav for his car, will appeal to many a Luddite - not quite yet tuned into the digital revolution.

In one of the stories 'Men - Ancient and Modern' the central character is Alfie Draper - who admits to a younger man that if he had the choice between turning out in a blizzard in the middle of a freezing winter's night to repair a tractor or changing a baby's nappy then it would definitely not be the latter.

'No boy, I'm not a modern man,' reasoned Alfie, 'rather, when it comes to all that business, I'm more like Neanderthal man, and you can rest assured I'm not going to change now' - a man and philosophy, I rather suspect, close to the heart of the author.

If the result is a book that produces such a plethora of local, rural characters and believable tales of country life then long may it continue. Ted Sherrell - don't change one iota!

n 'Looking toward the Tamar - tales of Devonshire life.'

Published by United Writers Publications, priced £16.95. ISBN 978185 200 1513. Copies available in local bookshops, and at the Times office, 14, Brook Street.

JOHN HUTCHINS