THE first Whitchurch mayor of the new millennium is showing no signs of slowing down in retirement.

Roy Smith, who served as town mayor for 2000/01, has this week released his debut novel which he says has been four years in the making.

Roy said he was bitten by the ‘writing bug’ after retiring from the civil service in 2006 and began putting together a family history for his grandchildren.

He then started working on his new book, Guilt-Edged, and has already finished the first draft of a sequel.

Roy said: “The best part of the process for me has been creating a cast of characters – some funny, some evil – but each one of them interesting and true-to-life, I hope.”

Roy lived in Whitchurch for three-and-a-half decades before moving to Romsey two years ago.

Since then, and on top of his writing, he has got stuck in to a number of new clubs and organisations, including a walking football team.

“You only get one crack at this life, so it’s best to give it your all,” said Roy.

Roy’s book is available now. Go to pegasuspublishers.com and search for ‘Guilt-Edged’.