An Aberystwyth University graduate has set his first published novel in the town, taking inspiration from a famous photograph.

Adam Leonard Phillips, who graduated 15 years ago, has revisited the town in writing his first novel, Elephants and Hot Chocolate by the Seaside.

The book is inspired by the famous ‘Mixed Bathing in Aberystwyth’ photo from 1911, and is set in Aberystwyth and the surrounding area, including Ynyshir, Ynyslas, Borth and Clarach Bay.

Adam, who is now a teacher in Redditch, still loves Aberystwyth and hopes the book is well received.

“I hope it gives a positive representation of the town I love,” he told the Cambrian News.

“I sadly do not live in Aberystwyth any more but enjoyed my time at university there 15 years ago.

“I am now a teacher but must have directed hundreds of students to study there to support the town.”

The novel is set in 1911 when Aberystwyth became a hub of activity and excitement with the visit of elephants from the circus only one week before King George V was to lay the foundation stone to start the construction of the National Library of Wales.

It tells the fictional tale of the elephants being abandoned and a local cover up forcing the adoption of the orphaned animals by a local resident on an isolated farm near Dovey Junction.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now