A GRASS chomping, bleating, Lakeland sheep is set to become the star of a series of books - written and illustrated by a local author, reports Ruth Lythe.

Henrietta Herdwick the latest creation of June Hall, of Newbiggin, near Penrith, was introduced to the public for the first time at Coniston's Ruskin Museum.

The book follows the adventures of Henrietta, a gimmer Herdwick, from shearing to rearing as well as her brother Henry and mother Eve in their Lake District field.

Mrs Hall is a former primary head teacher who has a long-standing connection with the Dales Countryside Museum at Hawes and served for some years as education officer for the Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Kendal, and Kendal Museum.

She has also been the proud owner for many years of a small flock of rare Soay sheep whose wool she uses the wool for rugs.

Mrs Hall's love of the Herdwick breed was inspired by her move to Cumbria from Bainbridge, in Wensleydale.

The book is illustrated with pictures of textiles from local textile artist Lee Fitton, who uses fleeces from local sheep and transforms them into pictures.

"The story is meant to be read by parents and to children and to introduce the sheep and their life cycle and the 1,000 year history of Herdwick Husbandry in the central fells," said Vicky Slowe, Curator of The Ruskin Museum, Coniston, at the book's launch.

The book was launched alongside a special exhibition at the Ruskin Museum, celebrating Herdwick woollen products, with displays from local artists.

"People love the Herdwicks, perhaps because they always seem to be smiling," said Miss Slowe about the upland breed, which is found in the central Lake District.

Sadly, during the foot-and-mouth crisis, a third of the Herdwick flock was lost during the cull of 2001.

"The fate of the breed during foot-and-mouth caused great heartbreak not only for their owners, breeders and shepherds but also for historians concerned about the imminent loss of more than 1,000 years of heritage," said Miss Slowe.

The exhibition will be on display at The Ruskin Museum, Coniston, until next Friday, October 8. Call 015394-41164 for more details.