AN East Renfrewshire author has released a book telling tales inspired by Glasgow.

William Brown, 67, had previously enjoyed writing poems for family and friends to celebrate birthdays, weddings and other special occasions.

After retiring from a long career in the civil service with the Department for Work and Pensions, he found himself with more spare time.

And that prompted William to try his hand at short stories by attending creative writing classes.

He was also supported by a writing group run by U3A (University of the Third Age), which offers social activities to people who are aged 50 or over and either retired or semi-retired.

William has gone on to build an impressive portfolio of short stories that cover everything from humour to social attitudes and he is hoping his Glasgow-inspired release Twice Last Night is a hit with readers.

He told the Barrhead News: “I originally wrote tribute poems for friends, family and teachers of my children. It started as a hobby and it has grown since then.

“I joined a creative writing class and started writing short stories. I read them to my children and they told me to get them published – not to make a profit but more so that I’ve left something behind when I’m not here.”

Twice Last Night is a collection of short stories that have an element of humour unique to Scotland. The variety of tales range from teenage tearaways reforming their lives to rekindled romances.

“All of the stories are fiction,” said William, from Thornliebank. “I finished it last year and got the book published and, so far, there have been lots of good reviews.

“The key element of the stories is positivity and how people emerge from difficult circumstances to improve their lives.”

To buy a copy, visit www.amazon.co.uk and search for ‘Twice Last Night.’