FIRST published in 1877 by novelist Anna Sewell, Black Beauty is a classic tale beloved by children - and adults - all over the world.

Inspired by Lucy Kemp Welch's beautiful illustrations for the 1915 edition, Bushey Museum's education officer Marion Gee has re-worked the story into a simplified version for children, using as many of the former Bushey-resident's images as possible.

This weekend the new story book will be launched at the museum, with 100 copies given away to youngsters thanks to a generous donation by the Bushey branch of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Society (NADFAS).

"Because it’s a popular story and because the original book was too difficult for young children and because the pictures are all together and not woven into the story, I felt that I wanted to produce a book where on each page there was one of her pictures," says Marion, who spent several months carefully putting together the 36-page book.

"The pictures I have included show the personality of the horses and particular scenes that evoke sentiment and evoke feelings in children. They are beautiful. And children love them."

This year marks 100-years since Lucy's illustrations first accompanied Black Beauty, and Marion thought now would be a great time to put together the new version.

Lucy, who lived in Bushey until her death in 1958, studied at Hubert von Herkomer’s art school and was a keen painter of horses and wildlife. Her work is commemorated at the Lucy Kemp Welch gallery at Bushey Museum.

But what is it about her work which appeals to young readers?

Marion, who is interested in the way children perceive art, says: "I think that they are accessible to children in a way that I’m not quite sure some artists aren’t immediately accessible. You take children round the Kemp Welch gallery and there’s things in all the pictures that appeal to children and they can look at and enjoy.

"She is very important locally. Her cottage where she lived is in Bushey. She was buried in St James’ church yard."

The project was undertaken with a £300 donation from Bushey NADFAS, which has previously given the museum money to create a large jigsaw of one of Lucy's illustrations.

And in an age where printed fiction is competing against Kindles, tablets and television, retired university principle lecturer Marion believes it is important to promote reading books among children.

"There’s something about the printed word and using a book that you don’t get from using a tablet or screen," she reflects. "You interact much more with a book than you do with an iPad or iPhone or whatever else you’ve got. I think that’s important."

However putting together the new version was not a straightforward process and took several months - and several proof-reading sessions - to perfect.

Marion has many years of experience working with children, but this is her first published story.

She says: "I have told children a lot of stories, but I’ve never written any books."

The Story of Black Beauty will be launched on Saturday, September 5 at Bushey Museum, Rudolph Road, between 11am and 4pm. Details: 020 8420 4057, busheymuseum.org