A former regional journalist has written a new novel set during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Frank Malley’s ‘The Hit List’ tells the story of a young female officer in British Intelligence who is pitted against a shrewd Russian assassin.

Frank, pictured, used to work as a reporter and sub-editor on the Wigan Post before going on to the Daily Express and PA.

The book is the second in a three-book series and his third published novel in 12 months.

The 68-year-old, who now lives in Bedfordshire, told the Post: “I never expected to have three published in a year, but they all seemed to fit together and The Hit List, in particular, is quite resonant with what’s going on in Ukraine.

“The three books together amount to more than 250,000 words which is probably more than I wrote in five years at the old Post.”

The Hit List, published by Sharpe Books, is available in ebook on Amazon Kindle and in paperback.