A Sidmouth woman has thanked generous donors who have helped to raise £1,000 for charity by buying her booklet of poems and illustrations.

Jeanne Selly selected works she had written from over the years to sell in aid of Leprosy Mission and Sidmouth Hospiscare.

Her friends joined forces to publish the book as the Sidmothian is now confined to a bed at Holmesley care home due to her health. Jeanne was born in Selley’s Yard, now Libra Court, and has worked and lived in the Sid Valley all her life.

She took over the Sidbury’s old bakery with two friends before working at Tudor Amethyst and Fitzalan Gems.

Jeanne said: “Sales of the poem booklet have exceeded all expectations and enabled me to raise £1,000, which I am splitting between Sidmouth Hospiscare and the Leprosy Mission.

“As well as selling them through local churches, friends and coffee mornings, they are also available at Fitzalan Gems.

“It has been encouraging how many people have seen the booklet then asked for more copies as gift for friends and family.”

Anne Barratt, of Fitzalan Gems, who has known Jeanne for more than 20 years, has sold the poems and helped to print the booklets.

Anne said: “I’m just about keeping up with the demand by printing every week as they sell. The booklets have raised more than just local interest as holidaymakers have been buying them as gifts from Sidmouth. I’m so pleased for Jeanne and of course the two charities.”

Jeanne is now planning a smaller booklet called Sidmouth Born and Bred, telling more about her life in Devon.

Poems and Illustrations by Jeanne can still be bought from churches and Fitzalan Gems.