A budding writer has published his first e-book at the age of 76.

Former science teacher Joe Fajerman, of Woodford Green, started writing his science fiction book South By High Noon 20 years ago and extracts were published in the Bet Tikvah Synagogue magazine, Ha-etz, meaning “the tree”.

Soon he discovered he was writing more words than could fit in the monthly magazine so set about penning a full novel.

The book, described by Mr Fajerman as “Jewish Science Fiction”, tells the story of Ken, a science teacher, who is abducted by aliens and whose recently deceased mother continues to rebuke him and meddle in his life from beyond the grave.

Mr Fajerman, a keen reader, said: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, I just started writing and the ideas came out.

“I’ve always liked reading funny things and enjoyed making things up.

“I read and read so I felt it was my time to have a go.”

Mr Fajerman finished writing the book last year, but admits he spent many years re-editing.

“I think it’s funny and I’ve put some good jokes in,” added the father-of-two.

“My two children enjoyed it and my wife Lina thinks it’s really good - she is my toughest critic.

“I was constantly nagged for the last three or four months to get it done.”

He said although it’s a science fiction, readers should not the story too seriously.

“People should read it for a laugh,” he said. “But it is up to the readers to make up their own minds.”

You can download the book here.