A WOMAN who suffered a mental breakdown following abuse during her childhood has written two inspirational books on how she recovered to raise a happy family.

Lindsay Westfall, 45, of Long Riding, Basildon, is delighted both books, called Mother and Mother II, have been published and are now on sale at Waterstone's, in the Eastgate Centre, Basildon. Mrs Westfall claims she was abused as a child and suffered a complete mental breakdown as a result in her 20s, leading to bi-polar manic depression.

However, she met her husband Don, 46, when she was at her lowest ebb in hospital.

The pair have since raised their two children Richard, 18, and Nikki, 16.

She said: "People who read the books have said the first one, which is about my younger days, broke their hearts.

"The second book inspired them to look at people with mental health problems in a different way."

Books can be ordered on the internet by logging onto www.chipmunkapublishing.com and searching for LA Westfall.