THE last time I met Derek Lawrence was back in the mid-1990s, when he was trying to spot flashing lights in the sky and UFOs from his home in Dines Green, Worcester.

Predictably, he didn't see any. I can think of a few flashing lights that might pass down Tudor Way, but none of them attached to an alien spacecraft.

Those were in the days of Skyscan and its predecessor Para-Search, two organisations set up to investigate unusual sightings in the skies above Worcestershire.

"The aim was to push the boundaries," said Derek. "It was great fun and very interesting while it lasted, but I have moved on."

Indeed he has, both in address, which is now in Malvern, and in his private life.

After Para-Search folded in 1994 and he was made redundant from his job in the motor trade, he went to university in Worcester as a mature student studying history.

Now Derek has written a book. To rave review from those conversant with the genre, I might add. Although unfortunately that doesn't include me.

That doesn't mean Skaters, Trekkies and Cool Dudes isn't simply the hottest thing since the nose cone of Apollo 14. It's just that I don't pretend to understand comedy fantasy with a touch of Gothic horror in which one of the main characters is a gargoyle called Embram Ferret Frightener.

Those who do have been effusive. "The humour ranges from plain hilarious to downright side-splitting," said the critic of SciFi UK. While Gateway Monthly called it : "A mix of Red Dwarf and John Milton."

So, it's a double rocket boost for the latter day writing career of this Star Trek enthusiast, who is now 56.

"I've written short stories for the family and kids for a long time," said Derek ."I loved Erich von Daniken's Chariots of the Gods when I was younger and I guess that's been a strong influence."

Von Daniken's book centered on the hypothesis that many ancient civilisations' technologies and religions were given to them by space travellers who were welcomed as gods and this theme of space travel has run through Derek's thinking ever since.

Hence looking out of his window in Dines Green.

"I'm a big Star Trek fan and love science fiction and Gothic horror stories, " he added. "We've all got a bit of the kid in us and I refuse to grow old gracefully. People ask me when I'm going to, but I won't."

The title for his book was suggested by his wife Tracy and the major part of it was written in the early hours of the morning.

Like a vampire, Derek works best at night.

"That's when I get my inspiration," he said. "When it's quiet and I have time to think without any distractions."

He intends Trekkies and Cool Dudes to be the first part of a series called The Divine Cock-Up Trilogy and is already making in-roads into his second book. Although he admits he's finding it harder than the first.

Running the characters through and keeping the humour going are unexpected hurdles.

After all, when Joyce Holms, author of the Fizz and Buchanan Mysteries, describes your first effort as "a feast of wit and imagination", you have standards to maintain.

Back in his SkySkan days, Derek actually had a few, what might be termed, near misses.

On January 21, 1977 the front page of the Evening News trumpeted "UFO-Mania Zooms In On County" and reported how Derek and his co-SkyScan leader Rosko Urosavic, jumped into a car and headed for the Malvern Hills after five reported flying saucer sightings across Worcestershire.

The couple scanned the heavens for a while, but without success.

"The people who saw this object were pretty scared and worried," he said at the time. "We found one woman almost hysterical."

However, their research was hampered when potential witnesses refused to give their names and addresses. Presumably on the basis that Captain Zog or whoever read the Worcester News and might bring his spaceship round their house.

Derek then added worryingly: "UFO sightings seem to occur in 10-year cycles, although no one knows why, 1947, 1957 and 1967 have all been good years and here we are in 1977." Here we are now in 2007. Are you ready to boldly go?

Skaters, Trekkies and Cool Dudes by Derek Lawrence at £7.99 is available on order from good bookshops or on line from www.frontlistbooks.co.uk