ONE of our readers is on a hunt for information about the author J. T. Edson, who supposedly spent time living in Burton Bradstock near Bridport.

John Ritchie, who works at the antique store Books Afloat in Weymouth, is appealing for details about the British writer's life, who published many titles in the 1960s and 70s on the theme of cowboys, the Old West, gunslingers and cattle rustling. His novels featured various recurring characters, including Dusty Fog, Waco and Mark Counter, and would often follow familiar but entertaining narratives.

Born in 1928, Edson worked as dog-handler in the British Army before becoming an author, with his novels inspired by a lifelong love of the Western movie. While the beginning of his life is well documented, Edson allegedly became a recluse in his final years; perhaps it was at this time that he relocated to the west Dorset village.

Edson's books, now out of print, are said to be hugely popular amongst a certain age group, with Books Afloat stocking several paperbacks.

If you have any information about Edson's time in Dorset, please get in touch and help solve this literary mystery.