A retired journalist has helped write the final chapter of a novel penned by his late wife – in order to fulfil a pledge he made as she lay dying.

David Blyth’s former job as a reporter with the News at Cromer gave wife Barbara the inspiration for her book after he received tip-offs about alleged drug smuggling in north Norfolk.

As a newspaper story, it never saw the light of day – but it provided the spark for Barbara’s own fictional writings which began eight years ago.

The book initially failed to find a publisher, but as her life ebbed away after a long illness last year, David promised Barbara it would finally become a reality.

David told the Eastern Daily Press:  “When she lay there totally out of it, I said ‘what shall I do when you are gone?’

“When I suggested getting her book published she moved her arms, opened her eyes and tried to say something. It had such an effect on her I decided to devote myself to the task.”

David has now had the 560-page story, entitled A Quick Fix, printed through publishers Authorhouse, and given most of them to family and friends.

Now 67, David worked for the News and its sister papers for 18 years as a printer then another 10 as journalist before retiring on health grounds.

After marrying him in 1989 Barbara supported his career, sometimes going on breaking news shouts armed with a camera.

• A Quick Fix by Barbara Blyth costs £18.95 from www.authorhouse.co.uk.