A MIRFIELD schoolboy is searching for a publisher for his first novel - while putting the finishing touches to the second.

Dale Jones, 11, has been scouring the area for publishers to print his first foray into writing, fantasy novel Beyond The Trees.

The youngster who attends Upper Whitley JI School penned the 154-page novel in just 47 days.

Book-mad Dale said: "One night I got an A4 pad which had 200 pages in it.

"On the first page I started to draw a character from the book, not knowing who it was, then thought I'd write a story and it ended up being 154 pages."

Now Dale, whose favourite school subjects are history and art, is searching for someone to publish his masterwork.

He added: "I want to get it published and it to be as big as Lord Of The Rings.

"I've rung around a few places and sent it to one publisher in Huddersfield."

Mum Andrea said the book was a first for her son.

She added: "He's not done anything like this before.

"He's very creative. He builds and makes things and rather than going out he prefers to stay in.

"When he's writing he sits there for hours and doesn't watch the TV and is quiet."

Dale added: "I can't give away the end of the first book, but I'm only about 10 pages away from finishing the second book which follows on.

"I think I might make it a trilogy."