AN author who spent part of his early childhood growing up in Kidderminster will be signing copies of his latest book in a Worcester bookstore this month.

Lee Crompton has written Worlds Apart as a follow-up to his first novel, 12 Months. Likening his style to that of Nick Hornby, he has drawn on some of his real-life experiences, which include giving up a routine job to travel the globe, for inspiration.

Born in Bromsgrove, his family lived in Woodfield Crescent, Kidderminster until he was six, before moving to the south coast.

He made return visits to the Wyre Forest area in subsequent years during holiday times to visit relatives.

Lee showed early promise by winning story writing competitions in junior school. After leaving school in 1992, he worked as a quantity surveyor while studying part-time for a degree. He became a bachelor of science in 1997 and had a full-time job as a surveyor, working on various projects throughout the south of England.

He quit in 2003 to travel around the world, visiting Asia, Australia and the United States before returning to the UK in 2004, settling in Falkirk in Scotland and writing 12 Months.

It was prompted, he explained by saying: "There was a series of events in 2003, where I lost my job, split up with my girlfriend and my granddad died," adding: "I had just had enough, basically, with one thing or another."

Lee's book signing takes pace in Ottakars, Worcester from 11am on Saturday, July 29.

More information about Lee and his books is available on his website, www.leecrompton.com

The ISBN numbers of his books are 1905 765 022 for Worlds Apart and 1905 764 014 for 12 Months.