A RETIRED engineer who felt one of Britain's most colourful historical characters was being neglected decided to do something about it - and is about to see his first novel published in America.

Gordon Blake, of Grange Lane in Winsford, believed ancient hero Boadicea was being criminally overlooked in history so decided to redress the balance by writing The Nero Agenda.

Despite never having put pen to paper before, 69-year-old Gordon's dramatisation of the events leading to the Iceni queen's battles against the Roman Empire in Britain has been snapped up by PublishAmerica, which plans to release it in Britain and the United States.

The company's executive director, Miranda Prather, is convinced the novel will be a huge success.

She said: 'The Nero Agenda is a well-written and crafted work of contemporary fiction that fits our speciality like a glove. We believe that Mr Blake is a promising talent in this field.'

Gordon trained as an engineer and spent most of his working life in that profession, before setting up Nova Scotia Mini-Coaches, the Winsford-based company he ran until 1995.

He said: 'It is a work of fiction, but it is based on real people and real events which are historically documented.

'It all started about three years ago when Boadicea came up in conversation. I said she was neglected by history and my daughter suggested I should write a book about her as I was retired and had the time.

'I started researching this character Boadicea and as I got into it I started to believe I knew her. I did a lot of research and as far as I can tell the main incidents are correct, into which are woven fictional characters, as well as the real historical figures.'

Gordon's story is based around Nero's ascension to the throne of Rome after poisoning the previous emperor, Claudius.

Nero immediately changed Roman policy regarding Britain and, whereas Claudius had allowed the tribes relative freedom and sovereignty, Nero set out to crush all opposition to his rule.

Gordon said: 'Boadicea's children were killed, she was whipped to within an inch of her life and they were all raped, so it is no wonder she rebelled.'

Now he is completing final editing of the story with his publisher, as well as choosing a cover design. He expects the book to be released in the spring.

Gordon, who has two daughters, Karen Dean, 42, and Linda Blake, 39, has already started work on his second novel, which is set during the Second World War and tentatively called I Want To Be Rommel.