OLD Knobbley, a sprawling oak tree in Mistley which has been ravaged by fire and a feisty nest of hornets, is the subject of a new book.

Morag Embleton, who used to live in California Road, Mistley, has written a children’s picture book about the tree, on Furze Hill.

Mrs Embleton, who now lives in Carmarthenshire, Wales said the book traces Old Knobbly’s, life which spans 800 years.

She said: “It’s about how the tree grew up until the present day and the comings and goings of different species of animal.

“I used to live in Mistley and the tree is one of the landmarks of the area.

“I often used to think about what would happen if trees could talk and I tried to put that into words and pictures.”

For more information visit oldknobbley.com.