A FORMER Okehampton GP is to have his first novel published next month.

Dr Alex Mellanby, who retired from his Okehampton practice in 1989, has written Tregarthur's Promise, a teen fiction novel published by Cillian Press.

Abandoned by his mother and with his dad in prison, 16 year old Alvin is facing life on the streets.

Taking refuge in a school hiking expedition across Dartmoor, Alvin sees it as a way of avoiding his problems, but he did not account for Miss Tregarthur and her dreadful promise.

Following catastrophic events, Alvin finds himself lost in an unknown time and place, leading a group of school children in a desperate fight for survival.

Dr Mellanby said: 'Tregarthur's Promise was inspired by the Ten Tors Challenge.

'A modern day Lord of the Flies, the book follows a group of teenagers who find themselves cut off from the adult work in an unfamiliar environment.

'It deals with themes pertinent to the lives of young adults, such as bullying, leadership, grief and friendship while at the same time having a page turning story line full of adventure and mystery.'

For more information on the book visit the website at http://www.cillianpress.co.uk">www.cillianpress.co.uk