A TAVISTOCK College art student has had a children's comic book published following months of hard work.

Andrew Lockley, who has autism and follows a specially tailored curriculum, also won a competition to design a book cover and was presented with a prize by college principal Colin Eves.

Andrew's link tutor, Lorraine Orton, said: 'He put the comic book together with his art teacher Marilyn Downes and she helped him put it onto Blurb to get it published. Everybody who's seen it has loved it.'

Andrew, who is in Year 10 and studying GCSE art, has also produced a comic strip for the college's own newspaper. He has been inspired by looking at Hergé's Tintin and has practised drawing in that style.

Andrew said he enjoyed drawing cartoons and was pleased with his book and cover design.

Mrs Orton said: 'It's really interesting how you can see his style's developed as he's done the book

'He got more detailed. The children who've seen it have really enjoyed it.

'He had this character in his head and did a little story for me with six pictures. I suggested doing a proper children's story so week by week I would send him home with the next instalment to do and it built up over time.

'We did a mind map and thought about the characters and then added more of the little details and finishing touches and jokes we identified. It's really something to be proud of.'

 Andrew also won the cartoon category in the 'Design an Original Book Cover' competition arranged by librarian Kathy Worrall as part of National Book Week.

Presenting Andrew with a certificate and a WHSmith voucher to celebrate his achievement, Mr Eves said: 'This is brilliant, absolutely astonishing.

'It really is amazing to use this fantastic art talent.'

Mrs Worrall said: 'In the competition there were six categories and the winner in each received a £15 voucher.

'There were some really good entries. Congratulations to everyone who took part and the winners.'

The winners of the other categories were: Katrina Stride – Fantasy; Kelly Steell – Horror; Holly Speare – Animal; Jasmine Rice – Romance; Leanne Perraton – Adventure/Thriller.