AN AUTHOR inspired by UFO sightings in Barry has turned ‘the truth’ into fiction - in a novel on extra-terrestrial life set in South Wales.

Former Barry & District News reporter Darren Bowker-Powis and fellow journalist, 59-year-old Richard Finlan, have drawn on UFO sightings in the town for their novel called Waliens: Close Encounters of The Welsh Kind.

The book, a tongue-in-cheek mix of UFOs, Celtic mythology, intrigue, conspiracy, tinfoil riots and missing sheep, is set in a fictional South Wales town.

Waliens centres on a local newspaper reporter who is sceptical about local sightings, but soon finds himself embroiled in the mystery.

Darren, 41, formerly of Kingsland Crescent, said: "Wales is a land of a myth and legend, and UFOs are very much part of modern mythology.

"Wherever you go these stories persist and Barry is no different.

"One alleged incident I heard about would have made a great story for the paper, but the person who told me about it didn’t want to go on the record, so I respected that.

"However, the incident does, with the consent of the person concerned, feature in the book in fictionalised form!"

Darren and Richard put pen to paper after hearing about the police helicopter chase of an unusual object near RAF St Athan in June 2008.

"That story helped everything click into place," said Darren.

"It got a lot of media attention and was just the trigger we needed.

"I love the concept of strange things happening in everyday places, so a mix of the two led to this book - which is a sort of Welsh X-Files with a sense of humour.

"I'm not actually a believer in flying saucers and little green men, but find the subject interesting," he added.

"There's no conclusive evidence for their existence, but like Special Agent Fox Mulder, I want to believe."

Waliens can be ordered direct from www.daricbooks.com or by calling 07889 691815.