A FORMER North-East man has published his first book.

Stephen Hunt, who grew up in Middlesbrough and was formerly a journalist with The Northern Echo and Durham Times, has written Quartet, a compilation of short stories.

His work, published under the name Leo McBride, also features in a new fantasy anthology, Tales From The Tavern.

Mr Hunt, who now lives in The Bahamas, said: “I was writing fiction when I was in primary school. I got a typewriter when I was eight-years-old so I could type out my stories and I thought it was the best gift ever.

“Really, I have been writing for forever and a day.”

Quartet includes horror, science fiction and fantasy stories.

“Writing is always so personal that you are concerned about the response. But so far the feedback people have given me has been very honest. All feedback is good and I’ve been pleased to hear what people liked and didn’t like,” Mr Hunt said.

The anthology is the debut publication of Inklings Press, which started as a way of encouraging new talent. A horror anthology is due out later this month.

Quartet and Tales From The Tavern are available on Amazon.