A veteran journalist is aiming to bring to life what he called “the vanishing world of weekly newspapers” in his debut novel.

Pete Pheasant spent 47 years in the industry – including a stint as the joint launch editor of HoldtheFrontPage – before retiring in 2020.

Now he has written a book recalling his early days in local newspapers, set in a fictional Midlands towen in the ‘dying days of hot metal production.’

Manfishing follows the exploits of Simon Fox, a reporter on the Brexham Bugle who is always on the lookout for the next scoop.

His work brings him into contact with cast of colourful characters, including a disabled pensioner who is being terrorised out of his home and an Auschwitz survivor pleading for help to save her sick grandchild.

But when the Bugle’s century of independence ends with a takeover, Fox is set on a collision course with the new owners.

Pete’s local newspaper career began as trainee reporter on the weekly Ilkeston Advertiser and finished as night editor of the Nottingham Post, with a stint as head of Northcliffe’s East Midlands subbing hub in between.

Now 70, having a novel published is the realisation of a lifelong dream.

Pete said he started writing Manfishing about 40 years ago but only “nibbled at it” until he retired from full-time work.

He said: “Work and family life were always getting in the way and it was only after I retired four years ago that I sat down and started putting it together in something like its present form, although it’s had several major revisions since.

“I’d probably be tweaking it until my dying day if JMD Media, a Beeston-based company, hadn’t offered to publish it.”

Manfishing is available from the publisher or Amazon for £12.99, or email the author at mozziebook@gmail.com for a signed copy.