Sales of a new book featuring a famous Yorkshire craftsman are helping to restore natural broadleaf woodland in the Dales.

Robert Thompson, of Kilburn, was dubbed “The Mouseman” because he carved a mouse into every piece of furniture he created.

He is now the subject of a new book “Mouseman: The Legacy of Robert Thompson of Kilburn”.

And his great grandson, Ian Thompson Cart-wright, who manages the family business, has pledged to donate proceeds from the book’s sales to the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT), which is based in Clapham.

The money will support a long-term woodland restoration programme, which aims to double the amount of broadleaf cover in the Dales by 2020.

Mr Thompson Cartwright has presented a cheque for £2,500 to YDMT director David Sharrod, which will be used to plant native species of trees like ash, oak, rowan and birch throughout the Dales.

“We are thrilled to be planting more trees in the Dales as a result of the support of Robert Thompson’s, who are committed to helping us restore broadleaf woodland in an area where it has been drastically depleted,” said Mr Sharrod.

“There is undoubtedly a natural link between Robert Thompson’s, a family-run business using native wood for their craft, and our work as a charity, which is to conserve and protect the natural landscape of the Yorkshire Dales.”

Among Robert Thompson’s creations was the original oak-panelled boardroom from the Lidget Green, Bradford, offices of mail order company Freeman Grattan Holdings.

Installed in 1931, the panelling and furniture would have taken 10,000 hours to make and included several of Robert Thompson’s trademark mouse carvings.