FORGOTTEN heroes of the Second World War will be honoured through the pages of an author’s seventh novel.

Former Gazette journalist turned best-selling author Liz Trenow will return to her East Anglian roots for her latest work Under a Wartime Sky.

The novel will explore the secretive work carried out at Bawdsey Manor, where the country’s brightest minds gathered to develop an invention which would prove vital to winning the war.

Radar technology played a central role in turning the tide during the Battle of Britain, with the Manor becoming the first of dozens of radar stations installed along the south and east coasts of the country.

Liz, from Colchester, said: “I’ve been fascinated by Bawdsey Manor since my early years.

“My father was a keen dinghy sailor and we spent many hours watching him from the shingle at Felixstowe Ferry.

“Across the river the Manor’s fairy-tale towers peeped enticingly above the pines but it was still firmly out of bounds.

“Many years later a friend fell in love with the place and bought it, setting up a successful English language school there, so I was at last able to explore its wonderful buildings and gardens.”

She added: “The mansion is remarkable in itself but its importance in the Second World War and its extraordinary military history makes it an irresistible setting for a novel.”

The meticulous work of thousands of radar operators – mostly women – is less recognised than that of the code-breakers of Bletchley Park.

Radar later developed into microwave technology, which has thousands of applications in every day life including in speed cameras and air traffic control, as well as in space.

Liz began writing her first novel, The Last Telegram, as part of her MA project.

After picking up a prize as part of the course, she signed with literary agent Christopher Little, the man who discovered JK Rowling.

Her novel The Forgotten Seamstress reached the top 20 in the New York Times best seller list.

Liz will be talking about her new work in Colchester on February 20 at Red Lion Books, on February 27 at Waterstones and March 14 for Essex Book Festival at Firstsite.