A WIRRAL-BORN teacher-turned-author takes readers back to the days of Space Dust, Blue Jeans magazine and the Bay City Rollers in his latest novel.

Francis Prendiville had a successful launch of his comic novel Mr Harris Makes It Up in London last month and will return to Wirral for two launch events later this month.

Set in 1977, the book is about Graham Harris, a 'compassionate, newly qualified teacher who struggles to inspire his bottom-stream 11-year-olds' when a six foot tall Redcoat soldier marches into the classroom and changes everything for the children and Graham.

So begins his campaign to transform these young lives with a passion for drama.

The trouble is, not everyone approves of his radical thinking, and dark forces in the staffroom set out to undermine his approach.

Francis, who was born and grew up in Heswall, explained: "Mr Harris Makes It Up is a humorous, heart-warming and gritty odyssey through life in a northern city at a time when kids were obsessed with Space Dust, Blue Jeans magazine and the Bay City Rollers – but it has plenty to say about the role of the arts in schools.

"If you are a teacher or were at school in the 1970s, you'll love this book. Many people have said how much they've enjoyed the audiobook version, as it is rich in dialogue."

He will read from the book and talk about his latest work at Heswall library on Thursday, November 16 at 2.30pm. Tickets can be booked on eventbrite.co.uk There will also be a book signing on Saturday, November 18 at Linghams Booksellers on Telegraph Road in Heswall from 2-3pm.

Wirral Globe: The front cover of 'Mr Harris Makes It Up'The front cover of 'Mr Harris Makes It Up' (Image: Francis Prendiville)Francis has had a number of jobs after he was 'asked to leave' Calday Grange Grammar school after too many visits to the Cavern Club lunchtime sessions.

With minimal qualifications, Francis started a gap year that finished ten years later.

During his employment wanderings, he was a civil servant in Birkenhead, a barman at The Three Stags in Bebington and a salesman at Robinson and Neal in Birkenhead.

He also spent a year on the production line at Vauxhall Motors in Ellesmere Port.

Eventually, he trained as a primary school teacher in Manchester, living in a house with a former nurse called Julie Walters, who was training to be an actress.

Mr Harris Makes It Up is available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle and audiobook format.