A WRITER from Salisbury, whose books are described as ‘Hunger Games for adults’, is set to have his books adapted for the big screen after signing a deal with a Hollywood studio.

Peter Liney, who released the second of his dystopian adventure series Into the Fire last summer, will have his book The Detainee adapted for cinema by Grant Myers whose previous work includes the Maze Runner which grossed £228 million worldwide.

Set in a world where the government has gone bust the story is about the people society cannot afford look after - such as the elderly and the vulnerable.

Not knowing what to do with them, it sends the old and infirm to The Island – a rubbish heap from which there is no escape.

He said: "The Detainee is part love story, part adventure, but most of all, a testimony to the human spirit - the truth that no matter how grim the situation, given the tiniest drop of hope, we will find a way to survive."

Liney lived in Australia for ten years and London for 20, teaching English as a foreign language, but has always written. He has written sitcoms for ABC and Channel 4 and drama for the BBC and South African radio.

The Detainee was his first novel to be published when it hit the bookshops in 2013 despite it being written back in 1998.

"It has taken a long time to get to this stage," he said. "I was told that that it would a good film by some people I knew in the film industry.

"In the end we had two offers but I was advised to go with Thunder Road."

Once that the process of adapting the film is complete the next step will be finding the right director.

"We will probably looking for a hot-shot new director," he added. "Our plan is to take it to Cannes film festival and sound people out."

Liney will be staying on board with the film working as a consultant and says that he is considering a move to Hollywood whilst it is production.