A Ladywell  journalist and cartoonist’s new book documents the nuances of the current Tory-Lib Dem coalition government.

Martin Rowson’s The Coalition Book is his first collection of political cartoons that have previously been published in newspapers such as the Guardian and the Independent, as well as the Daily Mirror and the Morning Star.

The foreword comes from Will Self.

The 55-year-old, who has been based in south east London for the last 30 years, described the work as a ‘souvenir’ of the ‘hideous’ government the country endures.

Mr Rowson said the coalition was ‘not a proper government’.

He first realised his passion for cartoons at age ten, when he flicked through his sister’s history textbook and was amazed at the drawings accompanying the text.

After continuing to practise his skills throughout his school and university years, his first series was picked up after graduating in 1982.

Mr Rowson said that the main challenge with drawing political cartoons is making the characters recognisable.

He said some characters - such as Tony Blair - were easier to draw, whereas with other political figures it was difficult to know where to begin.

He particularly enjoys drawing George Osborne and David Cameron.

The Coalition Book is available from September 19 for £19.99.