AN 82-year-old author is hoping his new book will help Christians overcome their doubt and renew their faith in God.

John Wood, of Huntington Place, Bradford on Avon, has written The Doubter's Journey, which follows various members in the fictional church of St Giles and deals with the issue of doubt in a Christian life.

The book has been backed by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey.

He said: "To doubt is to have a relationship with Christianity and even with extreme doubt it is a question of sticking with it and overcoming it is possible.

"I wrote my thoughts down to find out what I believed and I also wanted to engage with doubters. By engaging with them I hope to give them ideas to overcome their doubt and come to faith."

Mr Wood, who is a former landlord of The Red Lion, in Rode, has written several books for children but when he realised his Dublin-based publishers no longer existed he published this book himself.

He visited various churches in the diocese to see if they would be willing to sell his book and a number of them have agreed.

The book will be sold for £4.99 in smaller bookshops and the Sarum College bookshop, in Salisbury.

For a copy contact the bookshop on (01722) 326899 or Mr Wood on (01225) 864979.