WHEN a listener from Russia started sending in cartoons to the studio at Hertbeat FM, DJ Steve Folland just had to do something with them.

The result was children’s book Dear Mr DJ...

Breakfast show host Steve told the Welwyn Hatfield Times the pictures from ‘Lana’ – who became a fan of the station through its podcasts – started arriving out of the blue.

“One day she just started to send in pictures of us and what we got up to on the show,” Steve said.

“She’s a brilliant illustrator.

“Dawn [Easby, fellow presenter] said we should do something like a children’s book, so I went home and wrote one!”

Steve, 30, didn’t want to reveal too much about the book’s contents, though.

He said: “It’s a closer look at my imagination and what goes on in a radio studio while the songs are playing.

“I’m not going to spoil it, but penguins and nuns are involved!”

The book is aimed at children up to eight or nine, but Steve revealed it had gone down well with all age ranges – even adults.

“Everyone seems to love it. They think the images are amazing.”

Proceeds from the book are in aid of Keech Cottage Children’s Hospice (which now comes under the banner of Keech Hospice Care), which looks after youngsters from across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

Steve, who grew up in Cuffley and is a former Chancellor’s School pupil, has also been touring the area to promote the book.

He has already held book readings in primary schools and libraries across Times Territory, with more lined up in the new year.

“The reaction to the book readings has been really good. Kids love it,” he added.

Dear Mr DJ... is published by Badger Publishing and costs �5.

Copies are available online at www.hertbeat.com/book, as well as at the pantomime at Campus West, WGC.