A SCHOOLBOY from Wrexham is celebrating the publication of his debut book, at the age of just 10.

Bharat Dhillon, who lives in Pentre Maelor, moved to the UK from Punjab with his parents Lovedeep Kaur and Gurwinder Singh in 2009.

Writing skills run in the family as his father Gurwinder Singh is a renowned Punjabi writer and a well known former sub-editor of Daily Ajit, the world's most popular Punjabi newspaper.

Dhillon was a pupil of Ysgol Sant Dunawd School in Bangor-on-Dee and has dedicated the book, called 'What's going on with Tom', to them having had great support from his teachers there.

He said: "I do a lot of writing in school and wrote a lot of stories there and once I was sitting in my room and was bored so started writing this book.

"I wasn't thinking I was going to get it published or anything, it was literally to stop me from feeling so bored and then my Dad came up with the idea that maybe I could get it published."

Dhillon finished the 26 chapter book, which tells the story of Tom and his two friends Dylan and Jack going on an incredible imagination-filled treasure hunt adventure together, within six months.

He added: "I really enjoyed writing it and I'm really happy with how its turned out."

The book is full of bright and interesting illustrations that have been drawn by a friend of Bharat's father, the artist Inderjit Singh, and the adventures include encounters with crocodiles, giants, flying monsters and robot pirates.

Dhillon says his ideas just come to him when he is playing with his Lego or watching movies and his imagination just runs away with itself and he is already several chapters in to his next, as of yet, untitled book.

His father Gurwinder Singh said his son is real book worm and his love of writing is a result of that and proves to be great outlet for his rather impressive imagination.

He said: "I am very proud of what he has done and I am sure it will be the first of many books that he will write."

Five thousand copies of the book have been printed and it is going to be made available for free at libraries around Wrexham, with his friends at school being particularly impressed by what he has done.

Sophie Potter, who has an MA in Creative Writing from Keel University said that Dhillon has a vivid imagination, is extremely intelligent, and has exceptional creative and logical abilities.

She said: "His parents and teachers are very proud of him and his outstanding performance, not only as a student of English but also as an all-round student, a son and a friend.

"I am sure he will grow into caring and courageous young man."