THE author of a novel about growing up in 1970s Burnley is appealing for the two youngsters who grace the book's cover to come forward.

The book, Burnley Boys, by Peter Fyles, is about a group of friends growing up in and around the back streets of the East Lancashire town 30 years ago.

And the cover features two teenage boys wearing Burnley Football Club scarves, both aged about 13 and sitting on a wall. It was taken around 1976.

One of the boys is a childhood friend of the author, Richard Jones, a former St Theodore's pupil who will now be aged about 43, but the identity of the other youngster is a mystery.

Mr Fyles, 43, who grew up in Burnley but now lives in Sweden, said: "I was good friends with Richard for many years, but we have now lost touch.

"I have no idea who the other boy was.

"It would be great to reunite them and meet up with them.

"I would love to get them to sit on the same wall and take a picture of them 30 years on.

"When I was writing the book I considered lots of pictures from my childhood as the front cover, but this one fitted perfectly."

Burnley Boys is a novel about fictitious character Frank Heaney whose life growing up in the Duke Bar area is moulded by football, friends, the church, family and girls.

Frank and his friends are all fanatical Burnley supporters.

Peter is appealing for help in tracing the boys and is asking for anyone who may know where Richard is and the identity of the mystery boy to get in touch.

He can be contacted on e-mail at Peter.Fyles@engleska.se.

The book is available from Badger Books, Keirby Walk, Burnley.