"Anyone for Tenors" is the fictional diary of David Braithwaite, a new arrival in the village of Lambsball Green, whose efforts to start up a musical group are frustrated both by the residents and the dramatic events that unfold.

It's David's 20th book, and his third fictional diary. The others include a light-hearted guide to magistrates' court terminology – David is a clerk at both the Worthing and Chichester courts, and in years gone by, Arundel – and several walking guides, including his best seller "Big Walks of Great Britain".

David, from Aldingbourne, has also written on the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, and at this summer's Arundel Festival recited their entire output of light operas from memory.

His knowledge of the workings of amateur music and dramatic groups underpins David's new book, an hilarious take on village life featuring characters such as the terrifying cleaner Edna Mudge, the most boring newspaper columnist in history, Angus Spadgwick, and self-styled management guru Jonathan Perfrement.

And that's not to mention incidents including a vintage Southdown bus crashing into an allotment, taking a wheelie bin ride through the village's smelliest compost heap and singing outside the pub in a snowstorm, clad only in swimming trunks.

Profits from the book will go towards the Sussex Snowdrop Trust, which provides help for families with children suffering from life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses, and Children on the Edge, a favourite charity of the late Dame Anita Roddick, which supports suffering children across the globe.

¦ "Anyone for Tenors", price £8, is available from bookshops or telephone David on 01243 542028. The ISBN no. is 9780952393696.





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