LANCASHIRE journalist is making news of his own - including an appearance on national television - following the publication of a new book on one of England's greatest ever sporting stars.

Paul Agnew is the man behind "Football Legend", an up-dated paperback version of the biography of ex- Preston North End soccer ace Tom Finney which hits the shops this month as part of the great man's 80th birthday celebrations.

And Blackburn-born Paul, whose own business, PAPR, is one of the area's leading public relations companies, hopes his latest book proves as successful as the original back in 1989.

"It became a national best-seller and was also a title adopted by the Libraries Association of Great Britain which was all very pleasing," says Paul, 44.

"The original only ever printed in hardback; some problem with the distributor meant the scheduled paperback never materialised."

So when he was approached by Rossendale-based publisher Milo Books to put together a rewrite, Paul jumped at the chance.

"It will be going on for 13 years since the original came out and much has happened in Tom's life during that period, not least his knighthood.

"New chapters have been added along with a general up-dating and the inclusion of several new photographs.

"Tom, as ever, was very helpful and we had a thoroughly good time putting the up-date together. You cannot believe he is 80 - he has the most amazing memory.

"Talk to him about a game during his playing days, either with Preston or with England, and he will probably be able to tell you the colour of the corner flags!"

Paul, married to Elisabeth with two sons, Daniel and Matthew, lives in the Ribble Valley and started his journalism career on the old Blackburn Times after leaving St Mary's College aged 16. He spent a decade working in newspapers and radio across Lancashire, twice being voted sports journalist of the year, before taking on a management role at Preston North End in 1991.

He became the club's first chief executive - the youngest in the Football League at the time - the following year before resigning in 1994 to establish PAPR, where the client list includes Blackburn Rovers.

But writing Finney's life-story has proved a real winner and the latest offering has brought national exposure.

"Former BBC presenter Charles Lambert has put together a national programme on Sir Tom to mark his birthday," said Paul.

"Alan Hansen is the main interviewer and it includes a host of big-name football stars from both yesteryear and the modern game.

"As his biographer I was asked to be involved and a camera crew spent time filming a piece at our house a couple of weeks ago. I must admit it was rather strange to find myself in the role of interviewee!"