AN AUTHOR who has penned a series of novels set amid a rugby league background in a fictional town near to St Helens has published his sixth instalment.

Geoff Lee, 79, published his debut book One Winter set in the 1960s in the town of Ashurst, described as around the St Helens Junction, Collins Green, Burtonwood and Haydock areas.

Having travelled slightly forward in time with each book, Geoff's latest book Three Good Years is set from 2006 until 2008.

Geoff, who grew up in Eccleston and went to Knowsley Road junior school, says the story has a background of "work, family, saving the NHS and rugby league".

Former draughtsman Geoff said: "One difference is that in 'Three Good Years' there is much more humourous dialogue between my characters at work, at the match, in the pub or between the various members of the Greenall family.

"In some ways 'One Winter' is probably the best in terms of evoking memories of its time whereas 'Three Good Years' has some quite unusual story lines, nearly all of them though based on situations that you just could not make up.

“'One Winter' was set against a background of romance, rock 'n' roll and rugby league during the winter of 1962/63.

"It took me eight years to write it, starting in 1988 while working for the CEGB at Harrogate.

"Stan Barstow, the author of the novel 'A Kind of Loving' and himself once a draughtsman, told me that he found it “warm and authentic and an enjoyable read."

Geoff is approaching 10,000 sales of One Winter, which he says is helped by the fact it was the first novel to be set against a rugby league background since David Storey wrote 'This Sporting Life' in the late 1950s.

The book, features a stunning photograph of The Dream on the front cover, and costs £9.95.

  •  People can order Three Good Years at bookshops or from publisher London League Publications at llpshop.co.uk by clicking on Books and then on Fiction.