ONE of the country’s leading authorities on travelling life has written a novel.

Ray Wills, known as the 'Gypsy Poet', has penned several studies into the traditions of travellers as well as writing several anthologies of verse.

His latest release, The Time Traveller, is his first foray into becoming a novelist, and it has already reached the top ten in Amazon’s historical fiction charts.

Despite much of the adventure story being made up, Mr Wills, 75, who lives in Bere Regis, says his knowledge of gypsy history and heroes plays its part.

He said: “The Time Traveller is about a young gypsy’s voyage of self-discovery.

“After visiting a fortune teller on the famous Blackpool sands, he discovers he has the ability to travel in time and place.

“The Time Traveller takes readers to real places and real people that are important in the history of the travelling traditions.

“Ultimately it is the story of a young man on a quest to learn more about himself – a story of mystery, traditions and romance.”

As well as promoting travelling traditions through his books, Mr Wills is an advocate of the Kushti-Bok gypsy welfare organisation.

He works with museums and local authorities to advise on travelling life for exhibitions, and is a regular contributor to Travellers Times magazine.

Away from writing, he has enjoyed a successful and varied career. He has worked as a community worker, has designed numerous adventure playgrounds, chaired a tenants’ organisation, and even enjoyed a spell as the governor of a school.

Mr Wills, who lives in the Bere Regis artists’ community, added: “The novel features many historical events, people and places that are relevant to gypsies.

“I have been a historian for many years, and I conduct a tremendous amount of research for my books – The Time Traveller is no different.”

The Time Traveller also features several original and appropriate poems.

For more information visit Amazon and search for Ray Wills, where the paperback and kindle versions of The Time Traveller are available.