Newton dad publishes 'Counting Christmas 'Trees' book with family help

Following a family meal at the Kirkfield Hotel in Newton-le-Willows a few years ago, a dad and daughter game to count the Christmas trees on the walk home turned into an annual festive tradition.

With Brian Agger turning this game into a short poem in 2018, his wife Carla encouraged him to develop this into a festive children's book.

Despite a few years where the idea has taken a back seat, Brian was convinced to write the story following his daughter Jasmine's eagerness to play the game last Christmas.

Jasmine has helped a lot with the book (Image: Brian Agger) Taking inspiration from the festive spirit around Newton-le-Willows, and all the trees along the high street, church, town hall, and Crow Lane cottages, Brian drafted several edits of his Christmas story and had lots of help from 11-year-old Jasmine.

With mum Carla the owner of 'Jasmine's Gifts', a sweets, gifts, and balloon shop on Newton's High Street, her colleague Rachel is also an artist and agreed to illustrate the book, which served as the final piece of the puzzle.

And with Brian managing the publishing process himself, he has proudly published his first book, 'Counting Christmas Trees', which will be released on Tuesday, November 12.

Carla's colleague at 'Jasmine's Gifts', Rachel Sutherland, helped to illustrate the book (Image: Brian Agger) Brian, a 52-year-old sales manager, said: "The idea came from one of those daft little games you play as a parent but it has become a bit of a tradition over the years.

"Newton can be quite magical at Christmastime so, probably after a few glasses of wine, I wrote this poem which Carla thought could be developed into a Christmas book!

"So although nothing really happened for a few years, I thought I would write it before Jasmine gets too old.

"It's been a bit nerve wracking getting ready to publish it but the response we have had has been amazing and I'm very proud to have written it with Jasmine's help."

Counting Christmas Trees will be published on November 12 (Image: Brian Agger) Although 'Counting Christmas Trees' is based on Brian's experiences in Newton-le-Willows, the dad-of-one hopes that other families can connect to the story with their own Christmas stories and memories.

Following the support from local businesses in Newton, Brian has also pledged to donate a percentage of the profits to St Peter's primary school, where Jasmine attends.

'Counting Christmas Trees' can be pre-ordered here. The book will also be available in select shops in Newton-le-Willows and on Amazon in the coming weeks.