Picture Ref: 78720-82REMEMBER, remember the fifth of November, Gunpow-der, treason and plot.

And that is exactly what one teacher has done, by writing a fictional novel about it.

Bob Pixton, 57, said: "Everybody knows, or thinks they know, how the story ends.

"But that doesn't stop it from being a very good story."

And while most people think only of Guy Fawkes, he was not the only plotter.

"It is a fascinating story," said Mr Pixton.

"But it was not just Guy Fawkes who was involved, there was a whole group of them. The ringleader was a guy called Robert Catesby. Same fate, different name."

November sees the 400th anniversary of the gunpowder plot.

And this is not Mr Pixton's first piece of published work.

The author, who teaches science at Kingsdown School in Stratton St Margaret, has been writing books on the railways for the past 10 years.

And he is currently working on his next novel, called Devotion.

"The title is subject to change, but it is in the computer at the moment," he said.

Bob, from Park South, is publishing the book himself after publishing companies turned him down.

He said: "I had a handful of rejection letters.

"But so did JK Rowling at the start of her career and she's not short of money now. Even richer than the Queen."

And he thinks his experiences can teach other budding authors."It shows you can do it yourself. Don't be put off by the rejection slips.

"I am a science teacher, not a writer, so it just goes to show a reasonably competent person can do it."

A Plot To Kill The King The Gunpowder Treason is available for £5 plus 99p p&p directly from Bob. Contact him at 36 Priory Road, Park South, Swindon.

Stephanie Tye