HE might not have set his sights on being the next JK Rowling but Newport teacher Paul Manship's dream of being a children's author is one step closer to reality.

His first book, Rewind, is to be published at the end of January. The book, aimed at 9-13 year olds, tells the story of a naughty boy who is given a magic tape recorder by an old man.

He discovers he can use it to go back in time - and returns to the same day over and over in an attempt to get things right.

Malpas-born Mr Manship, 45, is a teacher at Millbrook Junior School in Bettws.

He said: "I actually wrote the book three years ago and have been trying to get it published since then.

"I revised it a few times and approached different publishers but was on the verge of giving up when I got a 'yes'."

The book, published by Gomer Press, is due to hit the shops towards the end of January with a first print of 1,800.

On February 2 it will get a special launch at Millbrook Junior School and Mr Manship's class of ten and 11-year-olds is almost as excited as he is. He said: "They've all promised to buy a copy - if I sign it."

He said: "I've also written another book, called The Cube, a comedy sci-fi which I've not taken to publishers yet."

Maybe the toughest critics for Mr Manship will be the readers he dedicated the book to - his three daughters, Olivia, 14, Rosie, 11 and Alice, 9. He said: "My eldest has read it and was surprised by how much she enjoyed it. The others are waiting until it's published."