Blind teenager Liam Midwood is ‘write’ on target with plans to bring out a second book in the New Year.

The 14-year-old, of Shipley, already has top children’s author Jacqueline Wilson and Yorkshire writer and raconteur Gervase Phinn among his fans and now he is set on winning more.

His first book, My Life In Rhymes: Touched By Blindness, has sold more than 300 copies.

The book of poetry based on his own experiences of his disability has touched the reading public’s hearts.

Liam was seven months old when it was discovered he was suffering from the rare condition, rodmonochromatism, which means he can’t see colours or detail.

He lost his sight totally when he was ten and he is also deaf, but the loss of two of the most powerful senses has never held him back.

The teenager’s inspiration was broadcaster Gervase Phinn, who has become a pal and encouraged him to put pen to paper.

And internationally-acclaimed writer Jacqueline Wilson, whose own books sell around the world, has described Liam’s work as “heartfelt and sincere”.

Three years ago Liam was struggling with school to the extent that his mum Liz ended up teaching him at home for six months.

That lasted until she won a battle for him to attend the college in Worcester where he’s now a boarder, which caters for his specialist needs.

Liam’s struggles began when the special school he attended in Bradford closed, resulting in him being taught in a mainstream school. He had been coping with his education until the switch, but then found it increasingly difficult, said his mum.

Putting his feelings into verse won him an accolade in 2006 at the prestigious Ilkley Literature Festival and put him on the literary map.

“This new book will hopefully be out in the spring. It’s totally different to the first,” he said.

“It’s not so much about my own experiences as it is about everyday life and everyday things – like the weather. It’s called There’s a Traffic Cone On My Head – don’t ask!”

Some of the proceeds will go to a charity raising awareness of Alstrom Syndrome – a condition Liam has just been diagnosed with and, as well as deafness and blindness, can affect the internal organs.

Print copies of My Life In Rhymes: Touched by Blindness are available from Borders bookshop at Junction 27 retail park, Birstall; Waterstones in Bradford’s Wool Exchange; Shipley Stationery, Market Street, Shipley; Saltaire book shop and Books & More in Bradford Road, Shipley. Large-print versions are available from the National Blind Children’s Society on (01278) 764764 or at nbcs.org.uk; Audio and braille versions are available by contacting (07970) 457330.

When Liam’s new book comes out, it will also be available on audio CD.