A "BROKEN hearted" father has released a book of poetry to commemorate his son who died this year.

Retired Rhyl detective Gwynfor Lloyd Griffiths, 84, has self published 200 hundred copies of Cerdd a Llun - Poetry and Pictures - a book of his son's favourite Welsh poems, provided with original pencil illustrations.

Gwynfor cared for his son who lived with cerebral palsy. James Lee Griffiths died in April, aged 41, from pneumonia.

Gwynfor said: "When James died, I was broken hearted so I decided I'd better do something for him.

"He was severely disabled with cerebral palsy and I cared for him for 41 years, even though the doctors told me his life span would only be 20. He was very strong.

"James used to enjoy it when I read poetry to him, and we come from a family of poets, so I thought a book would be the right thing to do for him."

Gwynfor, originally of Pen y Groes near Caernarfon, has previously published four books detailing his life as a "Thief Taker" in the Police force over his 18 year career and his three years of national service with the Welsh Guards from 1954.

While in the past Gwynfor, who began drawing aged five, has supplied drawings for the covers of previous books, Cerdd a Llun is this first time he has published so many of his illustrations.

Gwynfor added: "I've always enjoyed drawing. Originally, I was supposed to be an art teacher, and I even took an exam at Cardiff School of art but unfortunately I was called up for National Service before I could get a grant to teach in Anglesey.

"I've still kept up with my drawing, even when I cared for my son. When I was in Egypt with the army, the officers used to get me to draw on the mess hall's walls, and one of the trees I drew was so lifelike birds used to fly in and land on it. Everyone used to laugh when that happened."

To see some of Gwynfor's illustrations with his son's favourite Welsh poems, Cerdd a Llun is available now, priced at £8. To buy a copy directly from the artist, call Gwynfor on 07584655882.