FIRST-time novelist Ian Crawford may be able to count a Hollywood star among his readers.

Ian, a taxi driver from Caldicot, has written a fantasy novel for children called The Dragon Tree which was inspired by his childhood in the Wye Valley.

When he had a film crew in the back of his cab he took the opportunity to pass on a copy of his book for star Chris Hemsworth, who played the title role in the blockbuster Thor.

Mr Crawford told the Review: “I’m a bit cheeky so when I had some of the film crew in the taxi, I gave them a copy and asked them to pass it onto Chris.

“He had been filming in the Wye Valley.”

Mr Crawford wrote on his Facebook page: “I’m told Chris Hemsworth and his wife have a copy each of my book to read. I hope they like them.”

The adventure, aimed at eight to 12-year-olds tells the story of Azagard, a who is cursed to live the rest of his life as a tree after killing an evil sorcerer.

The father-of-six said: “I’ve been telling the story of the Dragon Tree to my children for many years but it’s only recently that I’ve found time to actually get it written.

“The tree is inspired by a real tree that was near Kingsmark Avenue, in Chepstow, when I was child.

“I thought it looked like a dragon and it was quite scary.”

The novel is available in paperback and as an e-book and Mr Crawford is working on the second book in the series.