Tiptree youngster's new pet to star in Tag and Tilly book

Lydia Ruffle, from Tiptree, had been fundraising for more than a year towards getting a puppy when she decided to step her game up.

Parents Matthew and Claire told the youngster she needed to show she was ready for the responsibility, by raising the money for it.

The ten-year-old had collected hundreds of pounds when she began her own business, Lydia’s Hand-Crafted Dog Treats, last March.

READ MORE: Enterprising youngster sets up her own dog treats business at nine years old

She sold bags of treats for £1 and was greatly supported as she sold 140 packs in the first week alone.

Dad Matthew, 39, says Lydia asked him to write a story about her new pet Tilly the cockapoo after she raised enough money to get him in June.

He was then shocked when he was offered a book deal by a London publisher for the story he wrote.

He said: "I only really wrote this first story as Lydia asked me to, and was shocked to be offered a publishing contract from the first and only publisher I approached."

Matthew's upcoming book, The Adventures of Tag and Tilly, will follow the puppy and her friend on days out and adventures.

Early illustrations of Tag and Tilly. Photo: Matthew Ruffle

"The first story is set at the zoo, where the puppies cause mayhem," Matthew continued.

"They scare a monkey out of a tree, upset Gary the baboon and retrieve the ball from the sea lion show.

"Towards the end they get thrown out by the manager."

The children's book is 20 pages long in rhyming verse with illustration from a company based in Romania.

Drafts of illustration are complete and Matthew says it should be finished in colour by mid February.

The publisher is set to release the book in about 6 months.

In the meantime Matthew has even written four more stories, which may also be published depending on the initial sales of The Adventures of Tag and Tilly.

Matthew added: "Lydia is extremely excited and asked daily of the progress."