A journalist from Epsom is hoping to inspire youngsters to consider a career in a rather unusual field with the publication of his first children’s book.

Dad-of-four Mark Anthony, 50, was inspired to write My Dad Does Demolition after a friend in the industry did some work in schools and spotted a gap in the market for a fun, but instructive, insight at the demolition industry.

Mr Anthony, from William Evans Road, who has worked as a specialist writer within the demolition world for 20 years and is editor of the Demolition magazine, said: "The greatest challenge in writing for children was that it was a balancing act.

"On one hand you are telling them that a demolition site is a great place to work, while at the same time explaining the risks and that you must never go on to one."

He said that there was currently a skills shortage within the construction industry and hoped that his book - which has already sold more than 2,000 copies in just a month - might make children look at demolition as a potential career one day.

He added: "A big challenge is that if you are 14 or 15 years-old you’d probably rather be on the X Factor or playing Premiership football, rather than being up to your knees in mud in the pouring rain.

"We wanted to show them an alternative view. Hopefully this book will go some way to helping children understand what goes on behind the site hoardings and encourage them to consider a career in our industry."

My Dad Does Demolition is aimed at four to eight-year-olds and is available on eBay, priced £4.99.