A RETIRED police officer has published his first novel based on his experiences in the force.

John Knowles' book is based on real-life calamities which befell the officer and his colleagues in County Durham.

Mr Knowles was born in Darlington and, after leaving Eastbourne School, he joined Durham police as a cadet, based at Sedgefield. In 1969, he completed his basic training at Newby Wiske Hall, near Northallerton, and later that year was posted to Durham City.

During his time, he lived in the police hostel, in New Elvet, frequented the Shakespeare pub, in Saddler Street, and even worked in the famous police box, which controlled traffic in the Market Place.

After three years in Durham, he was transferred to CID in Gateshead and rose through the ranks during a 25-year career, eventually becoming an inspector before he retired to Alicante with his Spanish wife.

He said: "Apart from the ending, the book is based on real situations which happened to me or have been told to me by colleagues."

Clogger Of The Yard is published by Vista House and is available via amazon.co.uk