A FORMER headteacher of South Tawton Primary School has turned professional author — and recently had his first novel published.

Barry Litherland, who was headteacher at the school from the mid to late 1980s, had his debut novel 'The Cave' published in June.

A crime thriller set in a fictional area of the north west highlands of Scotland, the book uses the landscape to create an evocative setting for the unfolding events of his thriller.

The book has been well received so far, and sales on Amazon have proved positive.

Mr Litherland (pictured left) now lives in the Highlands near John O'Groats, but says he has 'fond memories' of South Tawton Primary.

'I wish I'd never left, but the then National Curriculum was on its way in and there wasn't one in Scotland,' Mr Litherland said.

'I loved the area, the community, the children and the staff. There were very memorable children there.

'We had a really lovely staff, two of whom I am still in contact with. Eleanor Warnock was my deputy. She died during my time there but she is someone I shall never forget.

'I was judge of a fancy dress competition at a gala when I first arrived, and was obliged to pick a winner between identical twins in identical costumes. So I tossed a coin!'

The promotion of his novel has not only driven book sales but also had an unexpected secondary effect.

Mr Litherland said: 'I contacted some newspapers in places where I had links, with articles published in Caithness, Dumfries, Galloway and Blackpool, and I also created a Facebook page.

'As well as a pleasing increase in sales and some very positive reviews, I was contacted through Facebook by about 20 ex-pupils in Lancashire, now all in their forties, and by children and colleagues from other schools. My friends' list increased by 20 and old school photos began to appear. It was all very gratifying and memories for all of us flooded back.

'I was also contacted by three ex-pupils from Devon who had heard about my book from my daughter.

'It would seem that there is a great deal of interest aroused by the doings of an ex-teacher!

'If anyone in Devon wants to get in getting in touch, I'd be interested to hear from them.'

The book 'The Cave' is available on Amazon now, with more information available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cave/1483592298564920">www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cave/1483592298564920?