A FILM script written 20 years ago on a typewriter has been transformed into a successful author’s first fantasy novel.

Goblin Hall, described as “a humour-laced fantasy adventure for all the family”, marks the latest chapter in the varied career of Peter Kerr.

Widely known for his Snowball Oranges and Bob Burns Investigates series, he has turned his hand to another genre, with a nod towards The Goblin Ha’, a reputedly haunted chamber that lies beneath the ruins of Yester Castle, near Gifford.

He said: “I actually wrote the story, I think, about 20 years ago.

“It was when my first book, Snowball Oranges, was just coming out, after waiting about 10 years to get published.

“I had an agent in London at the time and she said the way I write is very visual and I should have a go at writing a film script.

“I had never even read one but took her at her word and looked at the layout and general routine for laying down film scripts.

“As for the The Goblin Ha’, I had been to the old castle, with one of my pals who lived in Gifford, when we were both about 15 way back in the 1950s.

“The place itself was not much to see, except peeking into the underground chamber, which inspired me.

“It was bloody frightening and a very spooky place – it stuck in my mind.”

It was only two years ago, when transferring stories to a new computer, that Peter revisited his original film script and set about creating the novel.

The legend of the Goblin Ha’ states that Sir Hugo de Giffard, known as the Wizard of Yester, made a pact with the devil to raise a magical army, who he used to carry out his will.

Peter’s new tale, which is available from Amazon, features an evil sorcerer called Zorn, who has lured two young children into his subterranean lair as bait to ensnare his arch rival, a wizard called Mungo.

It is up to the lovable but dippy old wizard to help free the youngsters from Zorn’s clutches.

The author, of Haddington’s Chalybeate, said feedback about the story was “quite encouraging”.

That came despite the 79-year-old making an interesting revelation to the Courier. He said: “I honestly don’t think I have ever read a fantasy novel!

“That same literary agent, when she was trying to get a publisher for Snowball Oranges, told me detective novels were always popular.

“I’ve never read one of those either and she said, ‘well, if you write one it will be original, even if it is rubbish’.

“That was the same attitude I took towards writing the fantasy novel.

“The reaction so far has been quite encouraging.”

Peter was in popular 1960s jazz band the Clyde Valley Stompers, who charted with Peter and The Wolf and were supported by The Beatles before the Fab Four made it big.

Later, Peter produced more than 200 albums – including the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards’ international chart-topper Amazing Grace – the biggest-selling instrumental of all time with 13 million sales.

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