THE Iddesleigh-based author and former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo this week said it was 'fantastic' news that one of his novels could be turned into a film by Hollywood giant Steven Spielberg.

The producer and director behind Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan and ET has bought the rights to turn War Horse, which Michael wrote 17 years ago, into a Hollywood hit.

Mr Morpurgo, who wrote War Horse after moving to his West Devon farm, said he felt proud his work will be recognised all around the world.

He said: 'The main thing is the book is firmly based in Iddesleigh.

'This is a part of the world that is forgotten — it is unique and to have people discover it wonderful.'

Mr Morpurgo said the book first became recognised after it was turned into a theatre production five years ago.

'It all started when I nearly won the Whitbread Book Awards 28 years ago,' he said.

'The book went to the USA and although it never did very well, it hung on in there.

'Then five years ago the National Theatre in London were looking for another project to put on main stage.

'They were looking for a story that had puppets as the main characters and although at first I didn't think puppets would work, it was just the most iconic thing to see.

'There were these amazing puppeteers who worked over 18 months to produce the puppets.'

The film rights have been acquired by Mr Spielburg's DreamWorks Studios.

Mr Morpurgo said he was shocked and excited to hear of the Hollywood film director's interest.

He said: 'Someone from DreamWorks came to see the show and reported back to Hollywood.

'It's just fantastic that a little Devon hamlet will be going all over the world. When you get to 66 and exciting things like this happen, you don't expect it.

'It's been an extraordinary journey for the book — I'm a story maker on page, he's the man that brings it to life on the screen.'

It has been reported the film maker knew he wanted to make the story into a film from the moment he read it, and had been deeply moved by the story of a young boy from Devon who follows a horse to the Western Front in 1914.

It has not yet been confirmed whether the film will directed by Mr Speilberg himself, but Mr Morpurgo said he would be happy to help if he was needed.

'There's a feeling the film will have a very British feel and I'm sure Speilberg will be interested to tap into the Devon side,' said Mr Morpurgo.

'The theatre production has been iconic.

'When it finishes in London it will be going to the USA, Broadway and New Zealand — to live up to something as exciting as that, it's going to be really really hard.

'The film will be different, it's not going to be dealing with puppets, it will be going back to the original story.'

Scriptwriter Lee Hall, who was nominated for an Oscar for Billy Elliot, will be writing the screenplay for the film.

Mr Morpurgo added: 'Lee Hall is writing the second and third draft of screen play and by the end of February there should be something for the directors to start having a look at.

'If it all works out, hopefully filming will start within a year.'