A DEVOTED husband has released a charity poetry book in memory of his late wife following her tragic death last year .

The rhymes and verses included in Yorkshire Puddin's and Poems have been a labour of love for retired firefighter Billy Coughlan, 67, since he began writing them back in the 1970s.

But it was following the sudden death of his wife Jenny, 67, in April last year that he decided to put them down in a book.

The couple, of Wibsey, were away cycling in Easingwold, near York, when Jenny suffered a heart attack.

Efforts were made to save her, but Billy and his family were dealt the heart wrenching blow that nothing else could be done.

Over the years, Jenny, who features in many of Billy's poems, encouraged him to put a book together.

He said: "It was Jenny that nattered me to get them put down in a finished book when I retired, but sadly like a lot of things I never got on with it before that life-changing day until now.

"I thought 'I'll put my poems in a book, but now for a different reason' - as a memento and in memory of Jenny."

Many of the poems in the book reflect on their life together, from Yorkshire Lass, penned in 1979, to Thirty Years My Wife, written to mark their 30th wedding anniversary.

Others are inspired by the time Billy spent in the fire service, where he had stints working at Cleckheaton, Odsal and the Birkenshaw headquarters, as well as family, friends and memorable days.

Grandfather-of-four Billy, who has three children with Jenny, says the poems have come from the heart and he hopes they raise a few smiles for those reading them.

"She [Jenny] would be very proud, I know that," he said.

"I was devoted to her, and her me. I lived for her.

"She was always there for me and I was there for her.

"I just miss her. To me, she was absolutely beautiful.

"She was always smiling, she would do anything for anybody."

The finished book now serves as a lasting tribute to Jenny and some poems towards the end of Billy's collection touch on bereavement and how it has affected him. He says those ones in particular have helped him come to terms with his grief.

More than 100 books have been sold and all the money made will be divided equally between the British Heart Foundation and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which came to Jenny's aid in her time of need. If you would like a copy of the book, get in touch with Billy by contacting 01274 601480.