A GRANDFATHER from Acton Bridge got more than he bargained for when he visited a hypnotherapist in an attempt to get pain relief.

Carl Leckey, 66, of Dutton Lock Cottages, found that all his childhood memories came flooding back to him after his hypnotherapy session three years ago.

The former lock keeper for British Waterways was taken back to a time when he was fascinated by his grandfather's stories of the First World War.

He used to spend a lot of time listening to his grandfather, Thomas Earl, talking about his war experiences on his allotment with his friends.

One of the main stories they discussed was the legendary appearance of angels over a battlefield near the Belgian town of Mons.

Carl completed a writers' course at the Open College of Arts after retiring, and following his hypnotherapy he started writing a book.

He said: "It all just came pouring out. I just kept going and going. It was a compilation of everything that I heard about from my grandfather.

"It was as though someone was writing through me."

The book, The Angels of Mons, follows one of the First World War's unsung heroes, a 16-year-old member of the Labour Corps.

The boy had to carry out some of the most disgusting tasks on the front line, his dreams of glory being shattered by the horrors of war.

Carl was visiting his children in New Zealand shortly after writing the book when he met a publisher, who showed an interest in his work.

The release of the book was delayed but it was finally published last month.

He said: "It's been an incredible experience and I've had a lot of good responses to it. I've a feeling I've got a follow-up coming on.

"I might go back to the hypnotherapist and have another go!"

rbabington@guardiangrp.co.uk