AUGMENTED reality is the newest addition to a fantasy novel, thanks to Salisbury publishers.

Hilary and Mike Emeny, of Salisbury business Boddington and Royall, have ventured from their craft recreating classic stories, to both publish and add an augmented reality (AR) element to Steve Hutton’s Raven’s Wand.

The fantasy tale was first published by the team in 2017, narrating the war between two secret societies in Victorian Britain, and now with the added technology, dragons, witches and scenes from the book can come to life in a 3D animated experience, inviting readers to take part in their own 'quests' while reading the novel.

The new AR app accompanying the story is bursting with Salisbury life, including scenes filmed in the New Forest and Leaden Hall School, and Salisbury residents supplying voices for characters.

The tech publishers believe they are "first in the UK to do something like this", Hilary adding: "We decided to publish it [the book] ourselves but we also realised that what the market needs is something to give it that extra special spark."

Mike added: "We haven't done this because the book is a bit iffy, the book is really good which is why we've stepped out of our comfort zone to publish this [AR]- it adds to it."

To launch the AR readers must first download the app using a digital device, that can then be hovered over illustrations from the book and quest cards to make characters come alive through the screen.

Mike added: “It’s a free app, and will bring the story to life through 2D animations and 3D experiences such as a thunder-sprite, two floating dragons and a sacred place.

"This transforms the story into a physical and psychological experience for readers, that will elevate it to a totally new and exciting dimension.”

The six-month process creating the AR was described by Hilary as a "learning curve" adding: "It's so beautiful and we're just so proud of what our team have put together.

"We absolutely love what we do, and with the growing that we're doing we want to keep it as close to Salisbury as we can - there's so much talent here."

Future AR projects for the duo who described themselves as "Salisbury's secret" includes adding AR to more books in the Dark Raven Chronicles, as well as a project with wine bottles in South Africa.

The AR edition of the book is available to order online, and readers of The Journal can get a 20 per cent discount by entering the code: SPIRE

The free app is available to download from: DarkRaven.ap