(Image: PR)
A County Durham dad with terminal cancer has defied the odds to celebrate his birthday three years after doctors expected him to die.
James Smith from Sedgefield wasn't expected to see his 43rd birthday, but last week turned 46.
Now, James has published his first book, three years after medical professionals expected him to die.
James Smith, 46, from Sedgefield, has published his first book (Image: PR)
James hopes the book will fire children’s imaginations and leave a lasting legacy for his wife and daughter.
James said: “I'm so proud of this book and my emotions are a little bit all over the place at the moment.
"Obviously I'd like Beyond the Stars to do well, but nothing will beat the feeling of reading it to my daughter Ida at bedtime.
"She loves it - there's no better feeling in the world than being a dad. We'll just have to make the most of it, because no one can say how many birthdays I've got left.”
Beyond The Stars is available from amazon and on kindle too (Image: PR)
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In his debut children’s book, Beyond the Stars, Orbi sets out to explore the edge of the universe.
The adventure takes young readers through planets, stars and cosmic mysteries, with fun facts along the way.
But for James, sharing the book with his daughter Ida means far more than anything beyond its pages.