THE LATEST book by a Dorchester author is set to be given the Hollywood treatment.

Damien Lewis' new book, A Dog Called Hope, has been snapped up by Los Angeles-based movie producers Safran Films.

The project will see the writer behind The Horse Whisperer, Richard LaGravenese, working on the script.

Mr Lewis, who was born and educated in Dorset, has previously enjoyed literary success with his book The Nazi Hunters.

A Dog Called Hope tells the story of an incredible black Labrador, Napal, who was trained as a service dog to help wounded solider Jason Morgan live with his life altering paralysis. 

The Special Forces soldier was told he would never walk again and suffered from terrible pain and depression but through the help of Napal was able to turn his life around.

He said: "The first time I rolled around a superstore with him, all the kids just had to stop and gape at my dog, as he grabbed all the shopping for me.

"They saw this guy who could talk to his dog, and his dog could understand and they just thought: wow, that’s incredible. That dog’s so smart."

Jason said Napal became his new battle buddy and gave him reasons for living again.

He worked on A Dog Called Hope with Mr Lewis and the book has received a great response, featuring on the Sunday Times bestseller list on publication and receiving praise from the likes of television adventurer Bear Grylls, who described it as "inspiring and very moving".

Now Peter Safran, head of Safran Films – which recently produced both The Choice and The Conjuring - has snapped up the film rights, bringing in director Tony Goldwyn, who has worked on The Last Samurai and Tarzan.

Former Thomas Hardye School pupil Mr Lewis said: "Bringing this story to the big screen will do so much to raise awareness about what these dogs can do for wounded veterans.

"If there’s one thing the charities who train these dogs want most of all it’s that more dogs get to those who need them."

Mr Lewis will be giving a talk about the extraordinary story at Stratton Village Hall on Thursday, May 26 to launch the book.

All proceeds including those from book sales will go to the UK’s two foremost service dog charities, Canine Partners and Bravehound.

The event will also include a visit from a special guest, Invictus Games competitor Jonathon Giezme-Pipe and his K9 partner, yellow Labrador Toby.

For tickets to the Stratton talk please contact organiser Paul Sherratt on 01305 269266 or email sherratt43@aol.com