A SCIENCE fiction novel to be published next Tuesday (Mar 28) called 'Extropia: Mind game' is set in Cumbria and features locations such as Windermere, Scafell Pike and Ravenglass.

It is Robin Bootle’s debut book and tells the story of two men trapped inside a virtual reality game called Extropia which is overrun by an artificially intelligent tyrant.

“The novel is set in Cumbria for two reasons: it’s my favourite part of the country and I needed a Lord of the Rings-style setting," said Mr Bootle, who lives in London. "Not only does Cumbria have the landscape, but also the names are perfect for that kind of story, such as Whitehaven, Hawkshead and Skelton Tower."