A BOOK of ghostly goings-on is being republished for a new generation of readers.

Artist and illustrator Brian Steffens first created the book in 1983 with writer CE Gibbs and he now feels the time is right for the terrifying tales to be read once again.

Tales of Devon relates three local stories of The Parson and the Clerk, Lidwell Chapel and The Devil’s Footprints, all once well-known by local story tellers, but now largely forgotten.

The elusive CE Gibbs emigrated to the States many years ago, but Brian, who lives in Dawlish, has decided today’s readers, young and old, should enjoy these spooky stories so has had a new edition reprinted with his original pictures.

Illustrator and artist Brian, 70, had led a varied life working with such people as Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, and is also a familiar face on the music circuit. He’s been a member of many bands over the years and currently entertains with his son Luke in the duo The Flying Steffanos.

However, his music career goes back more than 30 years, playing alongside music giants like Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood.

As well as working as an illustrator he paints original artwork and is generally busy undertaking private commissions. Lately though, he’s been occupied with stories of the supernatural.

He researches the now-obscure tales in libraries and brings them to life with bold, and sometimes humorous line drawings.

He said: ‘Children have come up to me telling me they love to be scared by the stories.

‘I am now putting together more new books with my own stories and illustrations.

‘There are five in the pipeline already – including Widecombe Jan and The Fox and The Pixies which has been printed.’

Next up is volume two of Tales of Devon and Brian revealed readers might find some of the characters look a little familiar. ‘A few are based on local people,’ he said.