A SCIENTIST formerly from Redditch has released a preview of his second children’s book Praxx and the Ringing Robot. 

The picture book, which is due to be released in two weeks, follows the story of an alien and his robot companion, illustrated by Andy Green.

Previously his children's e-book Engella, placed in the top 10 most popular downloads in the free Amazon Kindle Store, both in the United Kingdom and United States.

The novel also made it to number one in the American edition before being knocked off the post after a week.

The 36-year-old, who grew up in Redditch, moved to Nottingham to start his university studies in 1999.

His sister Michelle still lives in Redditch with her son Hayden.

Mr Cross relocated to London in 2004 to work in clinical research. He currently works at Guy's Hospital in Southwark.

For more information, visit pauliancross.co.uk.