A GOUROCK writer is going back to his roots and is setting his new book in his home town.

Dr Martin Campbell was inspired after a walk through Greenock Cemetery while visiting his brothers.

The 65-year-old's latest book is called Adrift in the Cemetery about a homeless former policeman who is living rough in one of the largest cemeteries in Europe.

Martin said: "I would describe the genre as a mystery with a murder in it."

(Image: Public)

He has had a successful career in psychology and spent 30 years working between St Andrew's University as a lecturer and a psychologist in the health service.

Martin said: "I'd written psychology books but I always had a hankering to tell stories, I suppose through having children and grandchildren, reading to them and knowing the pleasure it brings.

"This is my third book and I wanted it to be a Greenock book. I'd been walking through the cemetery and it made me think of all the stories I'd hear about the cemetery and I wanted to write a book that was accessible, not too dry and historical.

"I talk about local places, different parts of Greenock, Gibshill, Larkfield with some Greenock characters thinly disguised. 

Martin was brought up in Holmscroft Street and Mallard Crescent and attended Greenock Academy.

After school he spent a year working at Ravenscraig Hospital and this sparked his interest in psychology.

Martin, who is now based in Fife, studied at Stirling University before spending two years in America. He did teacher training during that time and went on to study for his PHD in psychology.

He is married to Rosie and they have a daughter Kirsty, 36, and grandson Franky.

Martin's previous novels, the first one about poker, Bad Beat Hote,l and another about the Arctic Convoys called Sailor's Heart have been met with critical acclaim.

The new book costs £9.99 and is available in book stores and on Amazon.