A local boy has written a global book and dedicated it to his old English teacher, writes Sophia Sleigh.

Tim Griggs, 63, was born in Sutton and went to Sutton Grammar School.

He now lives in Oxford and spent most of his life in Australia but has also lived in Nigeria and travelled all over the world.

However, when he sat down to write a book 40 years later, it was his old English teacher he wanted to dedicate it to.

Griggs dedicated Distant Thunder to A.L. McTiffin "because everyone needs a great teacher and he was mine."

Griggs says: "I would like him to get recognition- I wish he was still alive - I would love to track down his relatives.

"He took me aside when I was 12 or 13 years old - I can still see the room now; I thought I was in for a detention. But he told me then that I should write books.

"It’s taken a long time but I’m here now."

Distant Thunder is a sweeping Victorian epic which follows two main characters.

The novel begins in Bangalore in 1893 when Frank Gray’s enchanted boyhood comes to a brutal end the night he sees his mother savagely assaulted by a British cavalry officer.

Then there is Grace Dearborn, the privileged daughter of an industrial magnate, who grows up in 1890s England surrounded by wealth.

When the two of them meet it becomes clear that they share more than just a hatred of injustice.

The story traces their doomed relationship against the backdrop of a British Empire, bracing itself against political opposition.

As the pair fall in love, there is only one thing standing in the way of true happiness - Frank's vow of revenge.

Griggs has published four novels, one of which was a million-seller.

Writing has always been his passion and he has been published in a total of six languages.

Anyone with any information on Mr McTiffin should call the Sutton Guardian on 0208 722 6358 or email ssleigh@london.newsquest.co.uk.

Griggs will be signing copies of his book on Saturday April 14 from 10am to 4pm at Waterstones, Sutton.

The book is available from most highstreet bookshops and Amazon. For more information visit tdgriggs.co.uk, or follow Griggs’ on Twitter @TDGRIGGS1.