A WALLINGFORD author has just published his latest novel – and the town’s landmarks make a number of appearances in the tale.

Phil Hall, 53, says ‘Wallingford Wishing Well’ brings the town’s landmarks to life in an action/ fantasy story about an ancient curse passed on by William the Conqueror and a modern hero called Billy.

Mr Hall, an IT technical engineer who is married with one son, gives the South Oxfordshire town where he has lived for more than 18 years pride of place in his second work.

The 146-page book is steeped in the history of the area, while following the adventures of Billy as he leaps between ‘incredible challenges and barely believable scenarios’.

Mr Hall explains: “With a huge twist and jammed packed with dark humour, this fast-paced novel draws on real life characters who help to make Wallingford such a unique place to live and visit.”

It features various local landmarks, including The Kinecroft, Wallingford Bridge, The Old Post Office, The Coach and Horses and Castle Gardens.

The story is loosely based on William the Conqueror's occupation of the town but is mainly set in the present day.

Mr Hall’s first book chronicled his attempts to set up a new life running call centres in India and Thailand six years ago. But, after 18 months, the family were forced to cut the adventure short due to Mr Hall’s father’s increasing ill-health.

They found themselves in Scotland, leading him to write ‘Bangkok to Ben Nevis Backwards’, a memoir touching on adventures with big snakes, culture shocks, betrayals and an attempted murder.

Discussing his latest book, Mr Hall added: “If somebody read it who hadn’t been to Wallingford they would be quite intrigued, I’m sure.”

One reviewer of the work wrote on Amazon: “I was hooked to read on, a fascinating book, Phil has a great imagination, the book has a twist at the end, which leaves questions in my mind to think over.”

Another added: “This is a fast pace book. I became fully engrossed... it is difficult to put aside.

“I liked photos of Wallingford providing the context and reference points to monologues.

“The ending leaves it open for part two, which I would hope will be in the making soon.”