A WILDLIFE disaster was what gave author Chris Vick the idea for his second young adult fiction novel, which was released last month.

Chris works for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity in Chippenham, where he got the inspiration for his latest book Storms, a thrilling novel of love and danger.

When tens of dead dolphins mysteriously washed up on shores around Cornwall, crates containing around £14 million worth of cocaine washed up days later.

This led Chris, who lives on Quarry Hill, Box, to the plot of his new novel, where Jake, a young surfer, makes some regrettable decisions after an extraordinary discovery washes up, in order to make the money to follow the love of his life, Hannah, on her opportunity of a lifetime.

Chris said: “I have worked for Whale and Dolphin Conservation for years and it has been my inspiration for writing.

“There is some rather mature content in this novel, with drug references, but it focuses on the consequences of the bad decisions that are made and how this affects both the main characters.”

Chris is now planning his third novel, which is also sea-based.

He said: “I am a keen surfer and am looking forward to putting together my next novel which is also based around the ocean.

“I have a relatively limitless supply of ideas for novels in my mind and hope to be able to share them.”

Storms is aimed at young adult readers aged 13 and older, and is published by Harper Collins, £7.99 in paperback.