A LOCAL author says budding writers of all ages should pursue their creative dreams after seeing his book published after years of waiting.

Maffee and the Space Detective was written by Xerxes Setna, 47, of Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, who decided that instead of watching action films and reading adventure stories he would rather write his own.

Mr Setna said: “About twelve years ago I decided to try to write a novel. It took a few years to write and edit it and since then my ambition has been to see it published but I’ve never done anything about it until now.

“The feeling of realising an ambition and seeing something you’ve worked hard on finally come to life is amazing and I’d recommend anyone with an ambition, whatever it is, to go for it.”

Maffee and the Space Detective is a humourous action-adventure story aimed at children aged nine to 13 years old.

It follows the adventures of an android and an alien who have to team up to save planet Earth.

Mr Setna said: “I hope that the book brings the fun of Toy Story and the thrill of Star Wars to the world of reading.

“I also hope that Spielberg hears about it and turns it into a Hollywood blockbuster, but that’s probably not going to happen.”

The book is available on Amazon for £4.98 in paperback and 77p on Kindle.

A website has also been set up at www.maffeeandchuttle.com