A blind schoolboy has celebrated his 13th birthday with news that his own volume of poems, endorsed by a former Children's Laureate, is to be published.

Liam Midwood's book, My Life in Rhymes - Touched By Blindness, is due to go on the shelves in time for Christmas.

And, after striking up a friendship with his idol Jacqueline Wilson, the Tracy Beaker author agreed to support his writing and has written a foreword in the book.

She wrote: "Liam's poems are heartfelt and sincere. He's a sensitive boy who loves words. His poems make you smile, make you think, make you sad.

"He is blind but he makes his readers see."

Liam's family are delighted for him. Stepdad Dean Little said: "We are so pleased for him, the poems reveal what he has been through. The poems have given him an outlet to let people know how he feels.

"The book shows other youngsters they can make a difference and just because you are blind it doesn't mean you can't do normal things like any other 12 or 13-year-old, like play football. We're so proud of him."

Liam, who is from Shipley, attends a school in Worcester. He is hoping to sign his book at Waterstones in Birstall when he returns home for Christmas.

His book, which costs £4.99, will be available in Braille, and can be purchased at Shipley Stationery Centre, Saltaire Bookshop and Waterstones and Borders in Birstall.