A SIX-PART wartime drama inspired by Oxford author Julie Summers’s book Jambusters is about to start on ITV.

Home Fires follows a group of women in a rural Cheshire community with the shadow of the Second World War casting a cloud over their lives.

The drama series, starring Samantha Bond and Francesca Annis, was based on Miss Summers’ non-fiction study, which examined how women in rural areas coped in the war. The book was first published in 2013 and Miss Summers was invited to take part, with a cameo role as a Women’s Institute member.

The drama was created and written by Simon Block, who has also worked on the Inspector Morse spin-off Lewis.

Mother-of-three Ms Summers, who lives in Iffley, said she was delighted she had secured an Alfred Hitchcock-style role in the drama.

She added: “I am thrilled to be appearing in a cameo role.

“My grandmother Alex Toosey, who died in 1978, was a lifelong WI member, and would undoubtedly approve of me wearing a hat.

“I wrote a non-fiction book so I didn’t think it would be turned into a TV drama.”

“It’s a stellar cast and I keep having to pinch myself that it is happening.”

Ms Summers said the fee she received has enabled her to give up part-time work to focus on writing full-time.

The drama, which starts on Sunday at 9pm, was commissioned for ITV by director of drama Steve November and controller of drama Victoria Fea.

Mr November said: “Great writing from Simon has given Julie Summers’s wonderful book a fictional life.”

Jambusters sold about 10,000 copies in hardback, with the paperback also selling well.