A visit to Italy prompted James Parsons to publish his own book of comic strips.

The 24-year-old interior designer is hoping his work, 223 Boxes, will be a sell out in bookshops around Brighton and Hove and is now working on a second edition.

James, who lives in Hove, said the work was a mixture of autobiography and fiction.

He said: "Deciding to publish a my own comic strips meant I had to learn a lot about running a business very quickly.

Because it's a small business I'm the artist, the writer, the editor, the printer, the salesman and the accountant.

"Getting the work printed and in the shops has given me a great buzz.

Making a big profit is not my major concern. I don't see myself topping the best-sellers list, but I'd like the comic to take off and become a regular publication."

The central character in Day, the main story, is called Dr Parsons once in the piece and is otherwise known as "the guy with a beard".

James said: "I think the words to describe it best are wacky, weird and naked.

"One of the stories is about a love affair between bread and butter and another is based on Christian confusion and centred on some tourists I saw in Italy.

They were admiring a really beautiful altarpiece in the church of San Domenico in Bologna, which is attributed to Michaelangelo.

"They were taking pictures of each other pretending to pray. I though that was pretty insincere.

I'm not religious but I thought they were being blasphemous."

James studied English literature at Sussex University but has no formal art training.

He said: "I was made redundant so I had plenty of time on my hands. I think of the drawings as works of art, not just cartoons."

The comics are on sale for £5 at Borders, in Brighton, and the Sanctuary Cafe, in Hove.

James can be contacted on parsnip_j@hotmail.com