The impact of the First World War on Britain’s quietest communities is the inspiration for a romance novel by Melksham-based author Garry Cann.

‘Smallbrook’, Mr Cann’s first novel, has been released online as an e-book, with plans underway for a full paperback publication.

He said: “It’s a dramatic story of relationships in a small English village in the middle years of the First World War.

“I wanted to explore what could happen to people when love and a sense of duty clash, set against the horrors of the period.

“I've been working on the novel for some time and with the forthcoming centenary of the beginning of the Great War, I thought now would be an appropriate time to complete it. I hope it’s a story people will enjoy reading.”

The book is available to download from the Amazon website for £1.99.