ONCE upon a time there was a 56-year-old steelworker called Andy Rees who had always believed in fairies - and goblins, dwarves, gnomes and all the other creatures of folklore.

Ten years ago he started jotting down some ideas for a children’s book and sent off the synopsis to twenty different publishers, all of whom turned him down.

But he kept the text on his laptop and, encouraged by his wife, decided to try again and he’s now been rewarded with a publishing contract.

"It’s gone from the sublime to the ridiculous," said Andy, a quality manager on the shop floor at Llanwern Steelworks. "My wife said ’why not have another go?’ so I knocked off some of the rough edges and sent it off to three different publishers - and two came back with an offer almost immediately.

"I’m over the moon about it. My friends are amazed but they’re all behind me - although you can imagine I get a bit of leg-pulling at work.

"I can’t think of anyone from my background who has done something so fanciful."

’The Forgotten Gateway’, the first in a trilogy, centres on an 11-year old boy living on the edge of a small village in 21st century South Wales who finds himself thrust into a fantastic fabled realm after a chance meeting with two mysterious individuals.

It turns out that all is not well in this human-free land of legend, which is teetering on the edge of a war.

What part does the boy play in all this, and why has he been shown this strange new world from which mankind had been banished so many years ago? He soon learns the casual meeting was not mere chance.

"I’ve always been interested in local folklore and legends," said Andy.

"I love the idea that all these creatures are real and continue to exist in a parallel world.

"My wife actually dislikes fantasy stories but she loves this. And my son Ollie, who’s 19 and daughter Jess who’s 22, are really excited.

"It’s written for anyone from 10 years old upwards who has a sense of adventure."

Andy, who lives with his family in Portskewett, says he’s passionate about nature and conservation - themes which are central to his writing.

"I love the coast, green fields, wild woodlands. I’m a keen fisherman. I like keeping fit and going for walks with the dogs.

"I especially like walking on the Gwent Levels. The area may look scruffy but that’s man’s influence. If you take the time to stop and look, it’s beautiful. You can sit there and not see another soul all day.

"I hate the idea of another motorway running through it - but that’s another story!"

Having snapped up ’The Forgotten Gateway’ the publishers have asked for first refusal on parts two and three.

Andy’s hoping that he’s finally made his breakthrough as a writer...and they’ll all live happily ever after!

* The Forgotten Gateway is available to order from bookshops or direct from Pegasus Publishers at: www.pegasuspublishers.com