Winchester author, Michel Russell, couldn't believe it when his offer to give book royalties to a charity was refused because of "the nature of its contents".

Mr Russell (54), of Brassey Road, says he wrote Spirit of Eternity while recuperating from pneumonia and wanted to raise money for the Magpie Cancer Trust's scanner appeal.

He told the charity he would give £1 for every copy sold "because so many people need the scanner and I wanted to try to help raise money for another one".

But Anne Jackson, campaign director for the Magpie Cancer Trust, said: "The book contains references to pornography and paedophilia. It's a kind thought - but it's just not appropriate to our cause."

Mr Russell and his publishers, Blackie & Co, were surprised because they say an advance copy of the book was sent to her in February and they only received the rejection letter last week.

"I feel very hurt and upset," Mr Russell said, denying that the book was raunchy. "The sex is only a minor part of it. Had publishers thought it was anything like that, they would not have accepted it. They say nothing like this has happened before."

He said that having benefited from the scanner as an outpatient, he realised the need for another one, which was why he had wanted to donate money from the book's sales to the appeal.

Mr Russell and his publishers have now decided to donate the cash to the Terrence Higgins Trust, which helps people suffering from HIV and Aids.

Spirit of Eternity is on sale at Waterstone's bookshops, price £8.99, and may also be ordered from Blackie & Co's website, www.blackiepublishers.com