THE village of Nottington in Weymouth has became the setting of a brand new piece of fiction.

The House by the River is written by Mary Weeks Millard, and tells the story of three children who travel to the village to visit their great aunt, following their mum's sudden illness. Their holiday soon takes an unexpected turn as they discover the secrets of a child who lived in the house in the 1850s, and the trio embark on a treasure hunt that will change their lives forever.

Mary Weeks Millard is a retired nurse and midwife, who has been writing books for children and young people since 2009. Her previous works include I Want To Be An Airline Pilot, Living in Hope and Birthday Shoes, and Mary often takes inspiration from the Dorset countryside where she lives with her husband, Malcolm, a retired Anglican minister. The couple have three children and five grandchildren.

The House by the River is published by DayOne and is available now for £6. It can be bought from any local bookstore, by contacting sales@dayone.co.uk or by visiting Amazon.