THE world premiere of a musical biography about an almost forgotten local poet will be performed during Wirral Book Fest next. 

Arthur Seymour John Tessimond was born in Claughton Village in 1902.

His poems were little known in his lifetime, but were rediscovered in the 1970s, and have become acclaimed and influential.

Wirral musician Dean Johnson has set the poems to music in a piece entitled Tessimond's Cats and Fiddles, as the poet was fascinated by felines and music.

Tessimond was educated at Birkenhead School and later attended Liverpool University.

His work was a huge influence on the Mersey poets, especially Brian Patten, who proclaims Tessimond as his own poetic hero.

Following a rather mundane childhood in Birkenhead, upon inheriting a large sum of money Arthur settled in London and adopted the Bohemian lifestyle of Oscar Wilde, who inspired him to write after seeing the infamous wit speak at a Birkenhead theatre.

Dean Johnson's musical adaptation of Tessimond's life and work completes a trilogy of local icons that have included war poet Wilfred Owen  - whose tale was told in Bullets and Daffodils - and George Mallory and Sandy Irvine - whose ill-fated expedition to Mount Everest was the subject of Icepicks and Violets.

Tessimond's Cats and Fiddles will be performed at Wallasey Village Library in St George's Road, Wallasey from Friday, October 27 at 2pm and Monday, October 30 at 3pm.

Admission free.