AN EAST Lancashire author has received widespread acclaim for his latest novel.

Lord Sebastian Coe, Alastair Campbell and Daley Thompson are among the famous names to praise Stewart Binns’s second book Crusade.

Described by journalist and presenter Donal MacIntyre as ‘an outstanding read which requires an immediate sequel’ Crusade revisits the Norman conquest of England in the 11th century.

Stewart, 61, attended St Theodore’s RC High School in Burnley and the old Burnley Municipal College before embarking upon a varied and successful career in teaching and broadcasting.

Now living in Winsham, Somerset, the much-travelled Burnley fan has released Crusades through publishing giants Penguin.

After a childhood spent exploring the moors surrounding Colne and Foulridge, BAFTA award winner Stewart worked for the BBC before launching international sport shows Trans World Sport and Futbol Mundial.

Last month he was at Turf Moor to watch his twin boys Charlie and Jack, seven, lead out the Clarets as mascots against Bristol City.

He said: “My memories of Burnley are fond. It has such good people. People just think of it as an old mill town but there is glorious countryside within a mile.

“I remember running around Rawlinson Street, near Town Gate, as a boy. I’ve thought about writing a book about Burnley, but it would have would have to be non-fiction. Modern memories require a different style.”

Stewart’s latest book is a fictional account of Edgar the Atheling’s attempts to overthrow William the Conqueror in 1072, but he strives to ensure his story is as realistic as possible.

He added: “History was always my great passion, and in terms of historical facts, I don’t think there are many novels as accurate as mine.”