DRAMA teacher Nigel Bryant has published his first novel based on the lore and myth of King Arthur and the Mound at Marlborough College.

The Marlborough father-of-two has been interested in the Arthurian legend since he was a student.

He has translated a number of books about the Holy Grail but Merlin's Mound is his first step into fiction.

It is set in modern times and features a local lad who gets drawn into the myth of what the ancient monuments littering the Marlborough Downs are all about.

Mr Bryant lives in Leaze Road, just a short stroll from the enigmatic mound in the grounds of Marlborough College, where he has taught drama for the last nine years.

He has been interested in drama since his school days in London and he then became a theatre director for nine years before working in radio drama with the BBC for six or seven years..

Mr Bryant, whose office at the public school overlooks the Stone Age mound that stands behind the Memorial Hall, has written and translated a number of books about the Arthurian legend and the Holy Grail and written some plays.

His book Merlin's Mound, aimed at teenagers and adults, includes much of the myth surrounding King Arthur and his wizard Merlin.

According to Marlborough folklore Merlin is buried beneath the 4,000 year old mound at the college which dates from about the same period as its more famous big brother, Silbury Hill.

Marlborough is so steeped in legend that the town's official motto found under its coat of arms reads Ubi Nunc Sapientis Ossa Merlini, which translates as Where Now Lie the Bones of Wise Merlin. Mr Bryant said the truth about the origins of the mound and its Merlin connection will probably never be discovered.

His book comes up with an answer but he says: "The answer I have given in my book to the meaning of these monuments is just an idea."

The writer said: "In the Middle Ages they did not distinguish between fact and fiction.

"Instead of working out what happened they merely worked out an idea of what might have happened."

His book Merlin's Mound, which has the town motto on its cover, is bound up in local history, both factual and mythical.

The book, published in paperback by Mandrake of Oxford, priced £6.99, will be in the shops, including the White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough, in time for the 800th anniversary celebrations between June 10 and 20.