IT was a literary lockdown for dad Andrew Slinger who turned author as the pandemic took hold.

While thousands used the period to learn how to bake or grow vegetables, Andrew, from Clitheroe, got creative by penning his first novel - inspired by his twin sons.

He is now preparing for the launch of The Super Twins, a tale of adventure and magic which focuses on Ryan and Jake – two brothers who have lost all hope in life when a freak accident leaves them with incredible super-powers.

Mr Slinger said the idea started almost a year ago, but it was only when the country was forced into lockdown that he managed to get words on the page.

He said: “My twin boys, Luke and Liam, were my inspiration to start off with, that is how the book began.

“As time went on, the storyline and plot changed and developed and, eventually, I was left with a product I’m really happy with.”

Mr Slinger, a retail manager, was furloughed during the pandemic, leaving the single dad at home with his two boys.

The 37-year-old, who studied media at university, said he was waking at 5am every day to write for a couple of hours before the boys, age 11, began their home-schooling.

He said: “It was an interesting time but ultimately it gave me a chance to sit down and do something I’d been wanting to do for a long time. I enjoy my job – but I do love writing so I just wanted to give it a go..

“The main challenge has been time. Holding down a full-time job, single-parenting my boys and writing too does not leave much time to myself but I think if you really want something, you’ll put everything into it.

“The second challenge has been marketing it, I’m creative so I enjoy the writing part, but I’ve had to learn how to make a website from articles and videos which has taken a lot of time and effort.”

Once the book was completed it was sent away for editing, with Mr Slinger’s brother’s partner creating all the illustrations for the cover. The self-published book is launched online on September 4, available through Amazon. Search for ‘Twin Dad’ on Facebook.