A former regional daily journalist has called on his time as an amateur cricket umpire to inspire a novel.

Jim Appleby, who worked for the Bradford Telegraph & Argus, has written ‘Nay, Umpire!’, which tells the story of a history lecturer who retires from London with the hope of a quiet life in the Yorkshire Dales.

However, he soon ends up embarking on a new career as a cricket umpire.

Jim himself has umpired in the Craven League after playing the sport himself.

A review in the T&A states: “As former Craven League umpire Jim Appleby knows only too well, cricket can get in your blood.

“The former Telegraph & Argus journalist, who pulled on his white coat for Airedale second team, may not have broken many pots as a player, despite having a sports-mad father who taught him to play in the back yard.

“But Jim, who only gave up his dream of playing cricket when he was told by a surgeon that his right knee needed replacing tells with empathy and humour the story of history lecturer Adge Harrison, who retires from the hubbub of London to the little North Yorkshire village of Rivendale.”

It adds: “The adventures and misadventures are chronicled with an abundant knowledge of the game and its lore – and a host of other topics.”