A FORMER schoolteacher has released an historical novel based around Piel Island.

Pam Dowson was brought up on Walney, before heading off to University and becoming a schoolteacher in East Anglia.

However, her roots are still in the town and she has maintained an interest in the local history.

She said: "I love history and the specific history of Lambert Simnel.

"It's the first novel I’ve written – I didn’t know if I had it in me to write a novel but it's gone really well.

"I'm more of a non-fiction person - as a former teacher I've published things before and always toyed with the idea of a novel.

"Once I'd started it flowed really well."

Ms Dowson did a Master's Degree in Children's Literature, so isn't new to the genre.

The book is aimed at young readers - aged 12 or so, but she says her adult friends have also read and enjoyed the book.

She said: "Alice, the main character, is the daughter of the landlord of The Ship Inn.

"She finds a portal which takes her back in time to the days of Lambert Simnel.

"There's lots of comedy in the ways life now is different to how it was back then, and he also finds himself in the modern day."

Lambert Simnel was a pretender to the throne of England.

In 1487, his rebellion threatened the throne of Henry VII before it was crushed by the King.

There are a lot of local names in the book, which is described as a fantasy story based on real people, places and events.

Research for the story took her on extensive searches into the history of the region.

The book, called The Incredible Adventures of Alice and Simnel, can be purchased on Amazon in both physical and digital formats.