A first-time author who put pen to paper during lockdown is publishing his work after encouragement from comic and TV personality Paul O'Grady.

Graham Sutherland, a retired business owner from Singleton, sent a copy of The Unwanted Inheritance to Mr O'Grady's home in Aldington and two weeks later he replied to say how much he enjoyed it.

The story centres around the mystery of a large Bavarian estate left in a German soldier's will to a British Army surgeon, and it draws on Mr Sutherland's lifelong interest in the Second World War.

"I wrote the book purely for myself," the 73-year-old chairman of Wye Tennis Club said.

"I've always been interested in the Second World War and the stories sort of came from there, I made it up as I was going along really and it's surprising how these things develop."

After finishing the book and sharing it with fellow tennis club members, who praised his work, Mr Sutherland decided to seek the thoughts of a local celebrity.

"I don't know Paul O'Grady at all, I just dropped this through his letterbox and asked him if he'd be kind enough to read it.

"Two weeks later I got this wonderful letter from him saying, you know, 'you've really got to get this published Graham'.

"He said he enjoyed it so much, and he said it would make such a good film script."

Mr O'Grady said: "I get loads of books sent me from would-be authors, but I do remember Graham's and it having loads of potential as it was so well researched.

"I read it from beginning to end. I wish him all the luck in the world with it as it's a good book."

The Unwanted Inheritance is available now via Amazon priced £15.90.