HE may share the same name as one of the world's best-known horror writers but Trowbridge author Steve King is hoping his first novel will win an army of fans on its own merits.

Former teacher Mr King, 45, of Princess Gardens, Hilperton, is bursting with pride after his first fantasy adventure novel, The Eyes of Petra, hit the shelves on Monday.

Focusing on one boy's journey into a forgotten world, the novel is the fruit of six years' labour.

Mr King, a father-of-two, said he was proud to finally see his first novel on sale but shied away from comparisons with the master of horror himself.

"I am always known as Steve but I did think I didn't want to play on the main man's name, even though it is mine as well," he said.

"I have been working on this book for ages. It took me three years to write and the same again to get published. I sent the manuscripts off to loads of publishers. It is very much in the genre I read a great deal of. I love authors like David Gemmell and Tolkien."

Mr King, who used to teach at Warminster's Kingdown School, said his children have already taken copies of his book into class to show their friends.

"A number of people have read it and said they liked it," he said.

"Ottakar's have already ordered a stock of them in. It is fantastic to see it on the shelves a dream come true.

"It will be weird seeing my work in the same section as the other Stephen King."