The popularity of Searching for Soul has come as a surprise to its modest author, who says he only started writing it because his friends asked him to.

Reg Stickings spent seven years painstakingly putting his thoughts on paper and dictating them to friends and family, who then typed it up.

The 54-year-old says he has always had trouble with literacy, but was determined to finish the book.

He said: "I struggle with reading and writing and wasn't able to write the book on the PC.

"I would write it down, a chapter at a time, then my friend Alison or my sister Jackie would type it up. They couldn't read my writing so I would read it aloud to them."

He joked: "My mates always said I should write a book and I'd say. 'You're having a laugh aren't you? I can't spell my middle name'!"

The unusual way that the book was put together makes it especially satisfying for Reg and even gives the writing a certain charm.

Within minutes of meeting him, you can tell Reg is a seasoned storyteller and the tales in his biography are written exactly as he would tell them to you.

He says: "Apparently people who can't read and write well have really good memories to compensate, which I think is why I have been able to recall everything for the book. And because I had to dictate it, it's written how I speak."

Searching for Soul spells out how Reg and best pal Paul 'Yogi' Bohknecht helped bring a soul music movement from the north of England to Hemel Hempstead.

As well as documenting Reg's life-long obsession with soul music, the book paints a picture of 1960s Hemel Hempstead and how the genre became popular with young people in the town.

Reg says: "My objective was just to write something my friends would like and have on their mantelpiece.

"And I have achieved that. I don't even have to be proud of the book, because everyone else is so proud of it for me."

The first print run of Searching for Soul - all 2,000 copies - sold out before the publishers had even advertised it and there are five-star reviews on Amazon.co.uk

Soul music fans will take to it for nostalgia, while people in Hemel Hempstead will enjoy a plot that takes place in a familiar setting, with characters they may know.

Reg's complete love and passion for soul music is obvious on every page, especially the breaks in the narrative for lists entitled: Favourite Records at this Time or Records Bought around this Time. He names Bobby Womack, Al Green and Marvin Gaye as some of his top artists.

Born and bred in Hemel Hempstead, Reg attended Corner Hall Boys School and works as a carpenter, while organising and DJ-ing at soul events all over the county.

The dad-of-two now lives with his wife Deborah in Apsley, where you'll find boxes of vinyl records in every room of the house.

Searching for Soul is available to buy at Waterstones in Hemel Hempstead or online at www.amazon.co.uk