FATE definitely had a hand in the creation of a new children's picture-book set along the North Cornish coast, launched recently in the Fresh from the Sea restaurant in Port Isaac.

The Mary D and the Whale recounts the adventures of Will, a young Cornish boy and his fisherman dad, as they sail their boat, the Mary D around the North Cornish coast. The story, based on real-life characters and events was written by St Teath authors, Anne Worrall and Tanya Banks over two years ago but had lain in a drawer until fate stepped in last summer.

Illustrator David Webster said: "You know how it is, we all have old friends who move away and who we carry on sending cards to at Christmas time but never see. We always intend to visit them one day, but somehow never get round to it — and the years roll by."

For the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the 'Post'.