A crowdfunder for a children's Christmas book set in Congleton will end this weekend.

One Christmas in Beartown is the festive sequel to Congleton-themed storybook One Night in Beartown, which Congleton News reported on last year.

Children's author Nick Jones (44), from Somerford, two miles north west of Congleton, is hoping to fundraise £3,000 by October 31.

As of publication £2,759 of the £3,000 Kickstarter goal has been raised.

"It is all the same characters as last year," Nick said.

"But Tommy Pickles who is the villain of the first book has a redemption in the second book."

"You see his good side at Christmas, which the other character Sandy Lane helps brings out.

"The adventure unfolds of the two of them together in a snowy Beartown.

"The Christmas tree of Congleton town centre will make an appearance in the book.

"And one of the local companies that sponsored the book is in it as well."

70 people and businesses from our town have backed the project, which has almost met the target.

Meeting this will ensure a print run of 1000 copies of One Christmas in Beartown.

Congleton companies to have backed the project include Jantex Furnishing Company Limited of Milk Street and Chris Hamriding Estate Agents of High Street.

Another local venture which has pledged money to the project is Bear Grills Cafe, of Market Street.

Their founder Mark Winder (46) said of Nick's work: "I like Nick and the idea of the books."

"I've got three kids myself and love reading to my children.

"I've known Nick for about 18 months now and I've supported him on Kickstarter twice. I think he is a great writer.

"I've also written my own book that I am trying to get to print.

"And I love to give back to charity and support other businesses."

Bear Grills sells Nick's books, as well as the books of Nick's girlfriend Emma. The Congleton eatery even made an appearance as a location in the first book, One Night in Beartown.

You can buy physical copies of Nick's past and upcoming books from Bear Grills, at Glebe Farm or the Congleton Information Centre on High Street.

The Kickstarter for One Christmas in Beartown can be found here.

It costs £7 to pre-order a physical copy, or £4 for a digital one.

You can follow Nick on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The author and proofreader also has a website.

Nick already has plans to produce a third Congleton-themed kids book for next Halloween.

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