A TEACHER has written his first prizewinning novel for adults after successfully publishing 12 educational and children's books.

Michael Herschell (above), who taught at Lammack Primary School for five years, won the Peter Pook Humorous Novel competition for his new book "Rights of Way".

Based on his own experiences rambling around East Lancashire and his new home in Shropshire, the comedy follows hero Stephen Howlett who runs into romantic and legal trouble when his village is invaded by New Age travellers.

He gets more than he bargained for when he befriends one of the travellers then takes on a local landowner over a blocked public footpath. Soon, his ordinary life has changed forever as he finds he has more in common with the outlawed travellers than his neighbours. Michael, who also works for the Citizens' Advice Bureau, said: "I won the prize last year but it's taken a long time to get it published. I've alrady written the sequel and I'm looking on a third book in the same series about rural issues."

Before leaving teaching six years ago to concentrate on writing, Michael wrote several dramas and pantomimes for his Lammack pupils.

He is looking forward to seeing more of his work published in a collection of short stories "The Magic of Christmas".

He said: "It's not really a children's story but I hope everyone will enjoy it."

Rights of Way, priced £6.50, is published by Emissary Publishing.

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