A BURNLEY-BORN author is set to release the third novel in his series of medieval mischief.

Anarchy, by Stewart Binns, is due to hit the shelves on June 20 through publishing giants Penguin. The 62-year-old, who grew up in Colne and Foulridge, has sold more than 100,000 copies of his first two instalments, Conquest and Crusade.

And the former Burnley Municipal College student, who was a regular at Turf Moor, has won praise from another famous Claret, Alastair Campbell.

In a review of Anarchy, Mr Campbell said: “Stewart Binns has produced a real page-turner, a truly stunning adventure story.”

Mr Binns, who now lives in Winsham, Somerset, is a broadcaster and teacher who won a BAFTA award while working at the BBC before launching international sport shows Trans World Sport and Futbol Mundial.

Anarchy tells the story of Harold of Hereford, one of the nine founders of the Knights Templar in the 1140s while England was under the rule of Henry II.

Mr Binns, who also attended St Theodore’s RC High School, Burnley, said: “My passion is English history, especially its origins and folklore.

“I wrote this book immediately after Crusade as I wanted to complete the quartet and the saga. The fourth book, Lion Heart, is also already written and should be out in November.

“Anarchy, in my opinion, is the clinching book of the four. It was a catastrophic period in our history but a time which was crucial in the shaping of modern England and Britain.”

The Daily Mail called the novel ‘a fascinating mix of fact, legend and fiction ... storytelling at its best.’ Mr Binns, who frequently visits Burnley, said he was looking forward to the Clarets visiting his nearest club, Yeovil Town, next season.

He said: “I might have to keep my head down around here but it’s great to have an ‘away’ game so close to home.”