Ben Herring has turned his talents to writing children's books after hanging up his playing boots - and the Matt Hampson Trust is set to benefit this Christmas.

Former Tigers flanker Herring, now assistant coach, wrote his first book for his baby daughter and is putting the finishing touches to his second effort.

It will be on sale before Christmas – and he hopes to attract a sponsor so even more of the proceeds can go to the Matt Hampson Trust.

“I wrote ‘Huxley The Duckling’ for my daughter and then, because I enjoyed it, I wanted to keep going and get better at writing children’s books,” says Herring.

“I just did the first one for myself and I ordered 50 copies. But I got talking with the Matt Hampson guys and thought that the next one could help them.”

While ‘Huxley The Duckling’ inhabits a world a million miles from Welford Road, there is a Tigers inspiration at work in the new story, titled ‘Boris Baloo’.

“Boris Baloo is a fictitious animal but it’s based on Boris Stankovich,” says Ben.

“There are also characters called Castro Claws, Marcos Mip and Danny Merangi.

“The publishers have been excellent in keeping the costs to us down but if we can bring a sponsor on board to cover the printing then everything raised from sales goes straight to the Matt Hampson Trust and that is exactly what we want.”

Borders at Fosse Park are no longer able to host a launch event, but the book is still sure to be in great demand.

If you want to help with sponsorship of Ben’s new book then you can contact him via the club as quickly as possible. Email [email protected]