Comedian and actor Toby Williams has published his first children's picture book, Fart, Fart, Fart, Fart, FART.

The stand-up  – who performs  both as himself and Dr George Ryegold on the comedy circuit - both wrote and illustrated the 24-page book, described as being for ages two upwards.

He  said: 'It's obviously a very personal, deep and serious meditation upon censorship, gaslighting and the power of words.

'Farts are a subject that me, my wife and our 18-month-old enjoy daily—a subject which until I started talking to people about the book I had not realised was so contentious. "Fart, Fart, Fart, Fart, FART!" is about the use of the word "fart" and the aversion that some adults have to the word coming out of a child's mouth.

'It was inspired a few years ago by my sister-in-law's insistence that my nephew call them "pops"—I thought it was just a foible of hers but have since learned there are many people with strong and differing views on the subject. I think the book is suitable for anyone of any age as I have no intention of never finding the subject funny.

'Is there a word which describes a fart better than ‘fart’? No, there is not. It's one of the world's most wonderful words. So who are these silly, farty adults trying to stop kids from using the ‘f’ word? They must not win.'

The comic staged a launch even in Fitzrovia's Green Man pub, a Central London venue for many of his early stand-up gigs. Among the guests were comedians Nick Helm, above, Rosie Holt and the Drunk Women Solving Crime podcasters  Taylor Glenn and Hannah George.

The book is available from Amazon, priced £8.49