A Cumbrian graphic designer is celebrating a milestone after producing his 200th book project.

Russell Holden, founder of Ulverston's Pixel Tweaks, has produced countless books in genres that range from poetry to thrillers, memoirs to local history and children’s books to travel.

Established in 2012, Russell works primarily with authors from Cumbria, seeing the books go from manuscripts to printed pages.

His company's milestone 200th book is a special tale about the first cat in space.

“The 200th book is Felicette: The Space Cat by Stuart Atkinson of Kendal, telling the story of the first cat who was launched into space 60 years ago. Stuart has been writing and editing books about astronomy and space for 30 years,” said Russell.

“I aim to take the pain out of self-publishing. I provide advice about layout and size to set up, cover design and outputting to PDF along with getting the book to print."

Prior to setting up his business, Russell was a senior designer at educational publisher CGP.

He said: “Luckily I founded my business at the same time that self-publishing was becoming more popular. I began by producing an airfield book for Cumbrian writer, John Nixon, who recommended me to other writers.”

Many books produced by Pixel Tweaks have been entered into the annual Lakeland Book of the Year Awards, with several books being short and longlisted.

The first to be shortlisted was John Nixon's Warbirds of Walney in 2014.

Russell's own book, My Acoustic Nemesis, also received a special mention and was reviewed by Hunter Davies.

Russell said: “It’s an account of my operation and recuperation from having an acoustic neuroma - a tumour on my hearing nerve that was touching my brain stem. That left me with single-sided deafness and balance issues. It’s a guide for all those who may be facing the same procedure.”

Cumbrian authors he has worked with include names like Zosia Wand, Ruth Sutton, Julia Newsome, and Irvine Hunt.

“The self-publishing process is not as painful or as expensive as one might think and the whole process can take as little as two months to get from word processor to bookshelf. It’s hugely satisfying to take a Word document and an envelope of photos and convert them into professional books," said Russell.

Russell's graphic design has played a part in the success of Ulverston's Shed One gin distillery, working with owners Andy and Zoe to design branding, labels and promotional material.

However, producing books holds the biggest chunk of Russell's work.

He takes particular pride in waving the banner for Cumbrian authors, having "fallen in love with Ulverston" in the 1980s, settling on the Furness Peninsula in 1996.

Russell said: “My maternal family, the de Lacys, were once prominent landowners in Lancashire.

"Interestingly, Ulverston was historically a part of Lancashire. On our Charter Day, we commemorate the charter from around 1280 that granted Ulverston the status of a market town.

"One of the original signatories of that charter was Henry de Lacy. I suppose my decision to move here was meant to be!”