A RETIRED teacher from Bromsgrove has written a book about his childhood and what it was like growing up in the 1950s and 1960s.

Peter Crewe, 72, from Bournheath, has self-published his memoirs in a tome titled I Overtook The School Bus.

While the book centres on his formative years in South Wales, Peter - who has lived in Bromsgrove more than half of his life - believes the story will appeal to all.

"I feel it would appeal to anybody interested in what it was like to be a youngster 60 years ago," said Peter.

"Youngsters now don't have the freedom we had but we didn't have a lot of things they have now and the contrast is quite significant."

Peter, who is married to wife Paula and has four children and six grandchildren, began writing the book in 2003, not long after retiring, but left it alone for 15 years before coming back to it and finishing it.

The former woodwork, metalwork and design technology teacher, who worked at several schools in the Birmingham area, now plans to launch it as an e-book on Amazon.

For now, it is available from Peter directly, at a cost of £6, by emailing peter.crewe47@btinternet.com

The book's title reflects one of the many anecdotes within it and Peter believes it is a tale readers will warm to.

He added: "I've had a fairly lucky life really, albeit a slightly unusual childhood.

"I lived in the countryside where, back then, you could roam free from the age of six without a worry, but my parents were fairly religious, which put certain constraints on my life growing older.

"But it was a happy time and hopefully it is an enjoyable book with a fair bit of humour and plenty of anecdotes - I hope it will make people laugh."