A CITY councillor has published a novel that was 50 years in the making – chronicling the lives of two men in Oxford back in the 1960s.

Mick Haines has released a second book, The Merry Go Round of Life, which he claims is ‘naughty’ in places as it follows two imagined Oxford men, Tony and Roy, and their wives and girlfriends.

It is Mr Haines’ second foray into the literary world, following his memoir, Up and Down the Greasy Pole.

The independent councillor for Marston first worked on the book in the 1960s but said any prospect of publication was stymied by the popularity of The Likely Lads, which was first broadcast in 1964.

The Merry Go Round of Life explores the lives of Tony and Roy, who frequently meet up in pubs around Oxford.

Tony’s life is settled and revolves around his wife, children and his factory job, while Roy’s life is more chaotic.

A scaffolder, he is, according to Mr Haines, ‘a bit of a Jack the lad’ and based on the writer himself, who worked on building sites across the city.

In his book, Mr Haines’ characters visit The Greyhound pub, in Gloucester Green, and the former Nag’s Head, in Hythe Bridge Road.

They take other trips to the Red Lion, which is still in Gloucester Green, and the Britannia pub in London Road, Headington.

Most of the money made by the book will go to Cancer Research after Mr Haines’ late wife Janice died in October from the disease.

He said he decided to look again at the book following Mrs Haines’ death and other friends suffering from long-term illnesses.

He said: “I already had [the book] worked out.

“I took it to publishers in the 1960s and they said it was above average but The Likely Lads came out at about the same time – and then the Confessions films came out.”

The British sex comedy films, including Confessions of a Window Cleaner, Confessions from a Holiday Camp and Confessions of a Pop Performer, were released in the 1970s.

Other well-known Oxford sites included in the book are Milham Ford School, the former girls’ school in New Marston, and the former Mike’s Café, in Cowley Road, which Mr Haines said he frequented as a Teddy Boy in the 1960s.

Mr Haines was educated at St Andrew’s School, Headington and Cowley Road Technical College.

He initially worked for the Post Office and then later on scaffolding sites.

The books are priced at £5 each and £3 of the money from those will be donated to Cancer Research. To buy a book, which are being printed in Headington, contact Mr Haines’ daughter Cheryl on Facebook or email him on mickhaines003@yahoo.co.uk