FURRY wood and water dwellers have become a source of inspiration to an author living in the depths of Cumbria.

After decades of watching otters and martens - naturalist Colin Simms has compiled his observations of the creatures from around the world in the form of a book.

A poet and naturalist who has written more than 1,000 poems over his 40 year career, as well as many articles, scientific notes and papers, Mr Simms, whose home is near Alston, lives close to the creatures that inspire him the most even if that means he is isolated from modern life.

Otters and Martens are the theme of his latest compilation, which is made up of poems taken from four decades of watching these fascinating creatures.

Both animals are related species and are members of the Mustelid family, which also includes mink, badgers and weasels.

Otters are excellent swimmers, thanks to their webbed feet, and have excellent eyesight. But agile weasel-like martens choose to live in old, coniferous woods where they hunt and live alone.

Watching the animals from a scientific point of view gives Mr Simms his poetic inspiration, explained Tony Frazer, Mr Simm's publisher.

"At the same time that he is writing observational material for his scientific reports and papers he will put those observations down into poems about the same creature," he said.

Another source of inspiration for Mr Simms was his friend and well-known Northumbrian poet Basil Bunting, who would write poems in his local dialect Mr Simms uses the same method to help build up a powerful image of both creatures. Although not the lightest of reads, the poems are still very accessible and each of them show these mysterious, solitary creatures in a new light.

Otters and Martens by Colin Simms is published by Shearman Books and costs £9.95. It is available from all bookshops.