IN these troubled times, we all need to take steps to look after both our physical and mental health.

The difficulty is often knowing how - but one Geordie author has penned a new book in order to help people do just that.

George Spencer, known to his friends as Geordie, was born in Newcastle but joined the armed forces as a young man.

He and his family lived at Blackdown Deepcut Army married quarters in Hampshire - but his daughter, Vivan, is a well-known face in the Tyne Valley as the operator of Northumbria Kitchens.

The Kirkharle-based business won the Kitchen Company of the Year award in the North of England Prestige Awards 2020.

Just shy of his 90th birthday, George penned his first ever book. A Geordie's Take on Life - How a Geordie can improve your mental and physical wellbeing includes tales of George's life as well as techniques he has gathered over the years to stay fit and well.

It chronicles his life, from his youth in Newcastle to joining the army and pursuing his dream of becoming a physical training instructor.

Upon leaving the army, he became a consultant physical therapist in a cardiovascular rehabilitation unit in London.

George later went on to become a self-educator, motivational speaker, fitness instructor, and life coach.

He was even a hypnotist to Aldershot Football Club for a time, and established himself as a leading therapist in the hypnotherapy field.

His book is split into two parts - the first part describes George's life and puts forward the philosophies and thoughts he has used throughout his time.

The second half is dedicated to providing help on the slopes readers may encounter on the mountain of life, and includes techniques he has picked up over the years to improve physical and mental wellbeing.

He even includes a number of exercises readers can do at home to keep themselves active - useful in the coronavirus lockdown!

The techniques George discusses have helped hundreds of people manage their stress levels, and hundreds more stop smoking and lose weight,

George believes the best medicine is laughter - and that shines through in the book.

It is littered with examples of his humour and wit - which remains razor sharp. In the early pages of the book, he writes: "I was big a surprise to my parents - they found me on the doorstep when they were expecting a pint of milk!"