Antiques enthusiast Rex Merchant published new novel The Haunting

An antiques enthusiast has published a new novel based around his hobby.

The Haunting is written by Rex Merchant of Oakham and follows the story of a Rutland based antiques dealer who inadvertently buys a haunted desk to restore and sell in his showroom.

Rex's fifth novel about main character Christopher Doughty sees him try to trace the desk's original owner to find out why she is haunting the furniture.

The story unfolds against the busy routine of an antique restoration business.

Rex, a retired pharmacist, said: "My background in antiques stems from a long-standing hobby of restoring and repairing antiques, especially longcase clocks.

"It is better to write about what you know."

The 82-year-old is well known for his historical fiction based in the Lincolnshire fens and has won a National Award for one of his adult fantasy novels based in the area.

The new book costs £9 from bookshops or www.rexmerchant.co.uk