A YOUNG filmmaker from Pontypool has achieved his dream of publishing his first book.

Jack Strange, 21, from Penygarn, is about to have his first novel published called Winter Smith: London's Burning.

The novel which is the first in a planned series, centres on a 17-year-old female protagonist, named Winter.

The book, which has a target audience of 17-year-old plus, is set in 21st century London in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. A zombie virus has torn through the world and Winter and a group of survivors must get to the Thames where boats are waiting with the promise of safety.

Mr Strange, who writes under the name J.S Strange, said: "I was sat on a plane going to California when the idea came to me. I took out a notepad I had in my bag and started writing.

"I started the book when I was 17-years-old. It' surreal, I had an idealistic idea in my head about publishing a book but to hold it in my hand and have people read it - it's an incredible feeling."

"It's a story about survival and Winter trying to escape London and get to safety but everything isn't quite what it seems,"he added.

Mr Strange, who founded production company Brother Hipster Productions with James Griffiths, 21, had their documentary on Cwmbran animal sanctuary All Creatures Great and Small air on Sky television earlier this month.

He said he wanted the hero in the book to be a strong female lead as typically there are fewer strong female characters around than male characters.

The Coleg Gwent graduate has already started the second book in the series and aims to include Abergavenny and Gwent locations in the next few novels.

The book is a self-published work and will be available from April 18 in paperback and e-book at Amazon.co.uk