Toby Frost, 30, wrote Space Captain Smith which hit bookstores in May this year and now, just months later, the God Emperor of Didcot is ready for release.

The books, which are entertaining science fiction comedy, introduce the character of Isambard Smith, a space adventurer who is forced to do battle with evil ant soldiers in the first installment - because no one else is available.

In The God Emperor of Didcot Smith fights a dastardly alien plot to deprive the world of tea.

The books have earned rave reviews from, among others, Dirk Maggs, radio producer of the third, fourth and fifth series of the Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy.

Toby told The Bucks Herald he decided to start the Space Captain Smith series when the serious historical novel he had been writing became somewhat heavy duty.

After the original manuscript sat in a kitchen cupboard in Newcastle-upon-Tyne for three months, it was finally plucked from obscurity by Myrmidon Books.

He said: "I entered the Daily Telegraph's novel of the year competition and got down to the last 50 in that.

"Then I sent it to a publishing company who said they were prepared to give it a go.

"It's nice to have people come back and say they like it, especially when its someone you have never heard of.

Space Captain Smith and the God Emperor of Didcot are both available in the shops to buy now.