A ROSSENDALE man is set to turn his hobby of 42 years into a career.

Robert Chapman has been writing poetry for fun since the age of 16 and has received critical acclaim for his work.

Now, after being made redundant twice, he has decided to launch his own business offering commissioned poems for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and weddings.

Mr Chapman, of New Line, Bacup, said he had already had a positive reaction from people when telling them of his change of job.

The former warehouse worker, who has been published in 18 national anthologies, said: “One my former colleagues read some of my work recently and said that my work would sell.

“I’ve always written poetry as a hobby but never thought of making a living out of it.

"Now I am keen to develop a Personal Poems initiative.

"It would see me reading my work at special events like birthdays, church services or social group events.

“I am also in talks with a few greetings cards companies about entering that market.”

The 56-year-old has published nine personal collections of his poetry, which saw £4,600 in profits donated to various charities from 1998 to 2002.

In 2008, Mr Chapman was made redundant from the Andrew Mercer production warehouse in Whitworth and was also laid off from E Sutton and Son Ltd in Bacup.

He said: “I’ve always written poems to make people think and feel happy, and that is still the same.

"I will personalise my poems to fit any occasion, which will hopefully make events more special.”

To contact Robert regarding a booking, call 01706877858 or 07956164510.