Mobile library driver and author Alan Richardson’s latest book struck a chord with musician Sting, who wrote its foreword.

Mr Richardson’s Geordie’s War, published in December, documents the time his grandfather, Private George Matthew Richardson, spent serving with the Northum-berland Fusiliers in the First World War.

Mr Richardson, 63, who has worked as a library driver for seven years, went to college with The Police frontman, many years ago in Northumberland.

“I knew him when he was simply Gordon, playing with Earthrise at college.

“A little while back, he got in touch to say he had liked one of my books and I asked would he do the foreword for Geordie’s War.

“I knew Sting had a great interest in the First World War and I’m pleased to have him involved.”

The author started on his latest book while recovering from an operation in the summer of 2012 and researching his grandfather who was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal and the military medal and bar.

Mr Richardson, who lives in West Street, Trowbridge, with wife Margaret, said: “We were a dysfunctional family and my grandfather – who died in 1944 – didn’t speak about the war.

“Geordie’s War also touches on the influences my grandfather’s time serving had on my father, also called George Matthew Richardson, and the rest of our family.”

Thanks to clues yielded by a pocket watch that his grandfather was given for bravery by his hometown of Ashington, the author found long-lost family in America who filled in gaps about Pte Richardson.

The writer hopes Wiltshire Council will stock Geordie’s War in mobile libraries.

“I’m a lucky man taking the mobile library through Wiltshire, meeting people who don’t know that I write myself. Hopefully they will ike it,” said the father of four.

“My family are all absolutely delighted with it. I’ve told them to keep a copy safe as it is an heirloom that brings to life part of our family history.”

Geordie’s War is available to buy on www.amazon. co.uk