Animal tales in Spalding author's new book

A member of Spalding Gentlemen's Society has turned his fascination for animals and wildlife into a new book.

Phil Clay, of Spalding, is the author of 'What Have Animals Ever Done For Us?" the title of which relates to a quote from the film, 'Monty Python's Life of Brian'.

The book includes illustrations by his son Gary Fyles, of London, and the family connection continues as Phil's wife Diane intially sowed the seed for the published work.

Phil said: "I was always quoting unusual facts about animals to my wife and, one day, she said 'Why don't you write a book?'

"When I first left school, I worked on a farm for a few years and I've always been interested in animals since them.

"As a member of Spalding Gentlemen's Society, I show people round the museum and they are fascinated to learn new and interesting facts.

"So I thought of combining this with my interest in animals, having taken the stories I know and then researching to find out more information. "

The book includes details of how the Royal Canadian Mounted Police discovered that gerbils were ideal for detecting fear in humans.

Phil said: "According to my research, the Israeli secret service decided to use gerbils at Tel Aviv Airport to detect possible terrorists.

"But the gerbils detected anyone who was afraid of flying instead so it didn't work."

Phil's book is available to buy in Bookmark Spalding.