An aspiring author and a committed community activist are hoping that a book about a South African whale will help to put Watford on the international literary map.

Wendy the Whale, which will be launched next month, tells the true story of a stranded whale that was rescued more than 70 years ago in the coastal town of Hermanus.

The coulourful children’s tale, which has been more than seven years in the making, details the heroic effort of local volunteers to rescue the creature and the many decades of repeat visits to the resort by fellow Southern Right whales.

It is thought to be the first time it has ever been written down.

Author Alexander Williams, a former head boy at Watford Grammar School for Boys, explained how the book was inspired by friend, former colleague and Radlett Road community activist David Abraham, who grew up in Hermanus.

He explained: “David told me the story a few years ago and I knew it would make a great children’s book. It’s a wonderful bit of oral history that has been passed down from person to person and I really wanted to write it down.”

The book, which will go on general sale at the beginning of May, also features a number of illustrations by local schoolchildren, who entered a competition to see their work featured in print.

Three young artists, Rebecca Anderson, Marni Moudy and Anvita Ved, were chosen to have their work displayed alongside the main images provided by professional illustrator Lucy Newton.

Mr Abraham, who hopes that the book will establish a successful media franchise, added: “It has been a real community effort. He have been working to make this a reality since 2003 and the end result is fantastic. It has been a real community effort and we have great hopes of the book.”

The majority of the book’s proceeds will go to three charities; the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the Hermanus Hospice and the Old Harbour Museum.