A TEACHER'S partner wrote a book to help his girlfriend's pupils learn to read and write - and it was so good he got it published.

Geraldine McHale, 38, of Meadowhead Infant School, was looking for a way to help her children learn to read.

And partner Michael O'Malley, 46, agreed to write a story for them to give them some extra inspiration.

'The Adventures of the Mill Hill Billies and the Magic Coin' and it was so good that Mr O'Malley had the book printed and published.

Miss McHale, who lives in Mill Hill, said: "As a teacher, I am always looking for ideas to assist in my children's learning.

"While I was teaching a Year Two class preparing them for their SATs tests, I needed some inspiration for them.

"I asked Michael O'Malley to write a story for the children about something magical that would take you on an adventure.

"In the children's SATs they have to write a short story about a magic pebble.

"The story went down very well with the children and from there he decided to look into getting the book published.

"He drew some illustrations of the characters and got in touch with a publisher in Manchester.

"The story is a great read for both children and adults alike."

Mr O'Malley said: "I used to read to our little girl Niamph, who is 15 now, and I would make up stories for her.

"Niamph and Geraldine had been pecking at me to try to get it published so I gave in and told them to pick someone and do it.

"The next thing I know a publisher was ringing me up and telling me they loved it."

The book, based in Mill Hill, tells the story of a group of six friends from different ethnic backgrounds who find a magic coin that transports them to a magical land.

Mr O'Malley, a builder's labourer by trade, said he hoped to turn the book into a series.

He said: "The publisher said he wanted to do a sequel so I have already started working on that.

"A lot of people have said it would make a good cartoon.

"I would love to make a career out of it. I had a triple heart bypass five years ago and went back to work within six months so it would be good to pack in the labouring job.

"Of course I would like to make a living from it, but I also had two letters from children who had struggled to read and both loved it which really made me feel good.

"That is what it is about at the end of the day."

The book is available to buy for £6.99 online at www.amazon.co.uk