A TEACHER from Worcestershire has published his first novel, after being inspired to write the story from his time volunteering as a infant monkey handler in South Africa.

Dominic Tutino, 28, had his science fiction novel, Soot, published in January this year.

Mr Tutino described the quirky life experiences that led to him writing the story.

"After university, I worked as an infant monkey handler in South Africa at a place called Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre," he said.

"I looked after orphaned monkeys, chimps, baboons, bush babies and springboks. We were also each given a baby to look after full time (change, feed, sleep next to etc).

"One of the monkeys was called Milio, who I named a character after in my book."

He added: "This is also where I started reading and writing a lot, as where we were was very rural and had no internet access.

"I brought aspects of all of those experiences into my book".

The English teacher, from Evesham, currently teaches at Stratford-Upon-Avon School in Warwickshire.

He said his time as a teacher inspired his writing, as well as some of the characters in his book.

Mr Tutino said: "After starting as an English teacher I have read much more than I used to and encountered so many more styles that have inspired me, as well as the personalities of my students, some of which have been used in aspects of the characters in the book!"

The novel, by publishing house Austin McCauley, is set in a 'steampunk' world where an orphan is thrown out of his orphanage and becomes indebted to a street gang.

The main character, Red, fights against a corrupt government who gets their power from a mysterious crystal known as soot.

The teacher turned author said he is currently writing the sequel.

"Soot has sold out a few times on Amazon and I am currently writing the sequel," he said.

"I have loads of book ideas and the dream is to write full time hopefully!"