A former Kent newspaper editor turned council spin doctor has written a new chapter in his career after penning a racy novel about the life of a public relations chief.

Gravesham council’s communications manager Graham Cole, 62, is used to seeing his name in print having worked as a journalist and editor for more than 30 years but never as an author of a published book.

Mr Cole began his career in 1976 as a reporter in Wales before he went on to edit Kent Today and the Gulf Mirror in Bahrain. He also worked in Fleet Street for the Press Association.

Set in an imaginary town on the River Thames, his book, The Last Punter, tells the salacious story of former reporter Gary Clarke who switches jobs to run the public relations at a local council.

On the book’s front cover it is described as “sex, scandal, intrigue, politics and death” but despite an identical career to his protagonist, Mr Cole insists the similarities stop there.

He said: “Gary Clarke is an immoral person who would be considered quite shrewd but has many emotional flaws.

“I wouldn’t describe myself as having those flaws, he has a far more interesting life than I have.”

With the book opening in a hotel room, sex features quite heavily throughout but remains way off the eroticism contained in other raunchy novels such as Fifty Shades of Grey.

Mr Cole said: “It isn’t terribly graphic and I tried not to be so. I didn’t want to write anything cringe-making and was worried it might have gone too far but others disagreed with me, including women.

“The book is about corruption, and sex is very important to that. Gary Clarke is sexually corrupt.”

Written over four months after many more of planning, Mr Cole said he formed the idea while walking his dog, deciding an ending first and then working back to the start.

Although fictitious, it does draw on career experiences and conversations with politicians and journalists.

Mr Cole said the reaction from those on the council and former colleagues has been overwhelmingly positive.

He added: “I didn’t tell anyone I was going to do it until it was done but the main feeling has been good-humoured.

“Council leader John Cubitt has certainly read it and he never misses an opportunity in meetings to take a swipe by mentioning part of the book. It’s all very good natured and must bewilder other people in the room.

“Some episodes are close to reality but happened under different circumstances. I’ve had conversations with politicians that are similar to those in the book but the subject is completely different. It’s just a bit of fun.”

So far, the book has sold more than 100 copies and is available to buy on Amazon, Kindle and over the counter at The Three Daws and The Prince Albert pubs in Gravesend.

Mr Cole said: “I wrote a book 15 years ago but it was never published. Now I’m updating it. I’m also working on a sequel to this book called The Last Election.

“The fun is writing the book but when other people read it, that is incredible.

“I have written all my life but often in short bursts. The most I may have written is perhaps a 2,000 word feature so this feels like an achievement.”