A Wymondham woman said she is 'delighted' to have fulfilled her late husband's dream of publishing an anthology of his own poems.

The book, entitled A Millipede with Gout, by Andrew Neil Blewitt, is filled with scores of humorous verse based on an eclectic range of subjects and comical characters, such as animals, fairy tales and flora and fauna.

The former public administrator, who died aged 79 in October 2009, became a keen writer following early retirement in the 1980s and works within the anthology were compiled over more than 20 years.

His wife Ruth Blewitt, 74, said it was always his ambition to see them in print and vowed to get them published as a fitting tribute.

She added that having the book accepted by publisher Vanguard Press felt like a validation of his talent and years of hardwork.

On finally holding a copy of the anthology, she said: 'It was a great thrill. I was determined to get it published if I could. Of course the whole thing is tinged with the sadness that he can not know about it.'

The couple, who originally lived in Sussex, moved to Norwich in 1983 before relocating to Attleborough in 1995. Mrs Blewitt, a former teacher, moved to Wymondham a couple of months ago.

Mr Blewitt was an avid reader, who admired poets including Longfellow and Wordsworth. The couple enjoyed listening to classical music and would put on poetry recitals for local clubs and societies.

Mrs Blewitt said writing became more than just a hobby for her husband, who won prizes in many poetry competitions and had articles published in magazines such as The Freethinker.

'He would spend a great deal of time polishing and re-writing,' she said.

'He used to say 'A poem is never finished; it is always a matter for negotiation'.'

A Millipede with Gout, priced �8.99, is now available to buy or order from bookstores. It can also be purchased online at www.amazon.co.uk