A VICAR's dark fantasy novel for children has reached the top spot in the US - days before his second book is published.

Shadowmancer, by the Reverend Graham Taylor, 44, of Cloughton, near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, has reached number one in the New York Times list of best-selling children's books.

It has sold more than 300,000 copies in the UK and is now on sale in 20 countries around the world.

A spokesman for Mr Taylor's publisher, Faber and Faber, said: "It will soon be pushing a million copies worldwide with huge sales in the US now it is number one over there."

The novel, a children's tale of sorcery set in the 18th Century, was published nationally in the UK last year after Mr Taylor sold his motorbike to finance the first run of books himself.

Mr Taylor, who writes as GP Taylor, will see his second book, Wormwood, which is another Gothic adventure, hit the book shelves on Thursday.

It tells the story of a scientist and master of kabbalah who could hold the key to saving London from a catastrophic fate.

Mr Taylor recently retired as vicar at St Mary's Church, in Cloughton, because of a heart condition and is resting at his home with his family before the new novel goes on sale.

His spokesman said: "He feels he needs time with his family but he has agreed to do a signing at the launch of his new book this week in London."

Meanwhile, worshippers at his church are looking for his replacement.

Church warden Mary Braviner said: "Everyone is delighted with the success of his book but we are all worried about the health of a very special man who has done so much for our church.

"We pray for him and are now desperately seeking a replacement."