THE streets of Duffryn may seem a world away from central Jamaica, but author Roy Grant calls both home.

Mr Grant, 66, was born and grew-up in Jamaica but has lived in Newport for 45 years and his second book is released next week.

Entitled 'Patchwork Culture', the 242 pages explore the similarities and differences in culture in his new home and the West Indian isle.

The book is published under Mr Grant's pen name 'Roy Mackpenfield' and Mr Grant explains why: "My name is actually Roy Mackpenfield Grant and I searched the internet under Roy Grant and there were so many out there and one had a criminal record."

His first book, 'When Darkness Turns to Light' is an autobiographical tale of dealing with blindness. Mr Grant lost the vision in one eye following a childhood playground accident and partially lost the site in his other eye due to diabetes.

To research his second book Mr Grant embarked on two, three-month trips to the St Elizabeth mountain region in the centre of the island and spent time with the Maroon People living there.

"They live off the land growing their own vegetables and rearing their own animals," Mr Grant said.

"The book explores the history of their culture like rastafarianism and compares prejudice in Jamaica and here."

Patchwork Culture is published by Trafford Books and will be sold online and at WH Smith's Newport.