A FORMER Tesco employee has published his first book, which is now stacked on the shelves he used to stock.

William Buggins, 67, from Braintree, has written the spy thriller Bessomthwaite Two Eight Eight, set between the two Gulf wars.

Readers can pick up a copy at the Tesco Superstore in Braintree, where Mr Buggins worked the twilight shift stacking shelves in the late 1980s.

Matthew Hayden, lead manager at Tesco Braintree, said: “This is a first for us, to stock a book by a local author who also used to work in the store.

“In all my years at Tesco I have never been approached by an author before.

“We felt it was a tremendous opportunity to support him with his first novel as both a local man, and a former Tesco colleague in one of our Braintree stores.

“We are always looking at new ways to support local products, although a book is a bit unusual.”

Mr Buggins failed his English language and literature O-Level in 1967 and instead of pursuing his dream of writing went on to apprentice for a lithographic printing firm.

He always loved books and would write poems and short stories, eventually going on to write this novel, which follows secret service agent Eric Lomas after the death of his wife and two sons during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

He said: “I have written poetry and short stories for my own pleasure and as a mental exercise.

“This book represents a dream I have long held and I hope my story will act as an encouragement to others who want to write and don’t believe enough to try.

“To see my works on the shelf where I used to work is a dream come true.”

Mr Buggins held a book signing last Saturday and will hold another in the Braintree store this Saturday from 1pm to 3pm.

Bessomthwaite Two Eight Eight is available to buy from Amazon and Braintree Tesco Superstore for £8.99.

For more information visit pegasuspublishers.com