A Sutton businessman who has only read two “proper books” in his life has penned his own series of books and will donate all proceeds to a veterans’ charity.

Ray Harwood, chairman of Sutton property business Centro, wrote the six-part Sardana book series despite confessing to only finishing a couple of books in his life.

He said: “Black Beauty and a sports biography – those are the only two ‘proper books’ I’ve read.

“My biggest problem is that I read bits of books.

“But I do read educational books and documents to do with work, so I do read quite a bit really.”

The Sardana series follows Pedro and his single mother Maria and his efforts to make the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Mr Harwood had the idea for the books locked inside his head for 30 years, and began to write while on holiday in northern Spain.

He said he was inspired by earlier trips to Catalonia with his wife Dean and two sons.

Any money made from the series will go to Blesma, the Limbless Veterans, which supports ex-servicemen to live independently.

He said: “In my experience I have found the attitude of the members I have met at Blesma has been incredible.

“They don’t call themselves heroes and they make the best of what they have."