AN English teacher at a school in Thorpe has self-published his first book to fulfil a lifelong ambition and inspire his students.

Tendring Technology College teacher Kevin Hill, 28, has penned his first book, named The Ice Cream Wars.

It is based on the experiences of his dad as he worked driving an ice cream van in Lancashire.

Kevin, who moved to Essex from Lancashire last year to teach at the college, used self-publishing website Lulu to create hard copies of his book.

The website allows you to enter the text, set the format and design your own front page. The company will then print the book for the author.

And Kevin hopes the process will inspire his students to push on with their writing.

He added: “Everyone has a story to tell. Either an interesting tale, something fictional, or something from their family as mine is.

“I wasn’t confident enough to send it out to a publisher, but self-publishing really opens it up to people.

“I have shown the finished product to some of my pupils and they have enjoyed it.

“In doing this I’ve opened a can of worms. All the pupils are writing their own stories and I’ve got more marking than ever.

“But I’m glad it has helped them to become passionate about writing.”

The book will be available at Frinton book shop Caxton Books on Connaught Avenue.