Myths, legends and storybook characters have been given a new lease of life by Gillian Baverstock - the daughter of children's author Enid Blyton.

Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Medusa, Tom Thumb and the Pied Piper are among the characters who will appear in her new fortnightly magazine, Blue Moon.

And Mrs Baverstock, 67, of Ben Rhydding, said she was sure her famous mother - who created The Famous Five, Secret Seven and Noddy - would have been proud of her efforts.

"She always said if you have talent you should use it and I am using the talent I have," said the former Ilkley Moorfield School teacher.

The mother-of-three joined forces with long-time friend and comic editor Tim Quinn to form Shrewsbury-based Quill Publications which produces Blue Moon.

The pair have built up a creative team of staff whose past credits include working for Marvel Comics and on titles ranging from Barbie and Spiderman to Judge Dredd.

And Mrs Baverstock's first foray into the world of writing hits the shelves on Tuesday when her new twist on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty appears in Blue Moon, which aims to encourage children to read and become more creative.

"She finds out that she has to stay awake for the next 100 years, so she begins a quest to find something that will help her sleep again," she said.

Without divulging too much of the plot, Mrs Baverstock revealed that she will find a few friends along the way including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a good fairy and the Pied Piper.

Mrs Baverstock will also contribute to future issues with tales on Little Red Riding Hood.

"I have never done anything like this before. Previously I did not even think I could write so it was very challenging," she said.

"We are hoping the readers will recognise the well known characters from the past and realise that they can create stories like this too. We will be encouraging them to write in with their ideas."

Mrs Baverstock recalled that her mother liked to write in private.

She said "My mother really enjoyed writing and could write a book like the Famous Five in less than a week. But she did like to do it in peace, so I knew not to disturb her.''

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