The story behind the very first Asian Image edition is the background to a new comedy.

Based on true events the book, ‘Five Guys Named Zaika’ follows the lives of a group of friends who decide to publish their own newspaper in Blackburn.

Written by journalist Shuiab Khan the story begins on Christmas Eve 1997 and details the first few turbulent weeks as the inexperienced bunch plan to launch the first edition of the Asian Image from their ‘headquarters’ in a toll roll factory.

Along the way they met some of Blackburn's most outspoken residents and soon realise they have bitten off more they can chew.

Shuiab said: “There seemed to be a whole myriad of problems and obstacles you only face when you print something in your home town and a paper of this nature. This is made all the more exhausting when you have no money or anybody taking you seriously.

“I don’t think anyone has looked at journalism and in particular ethnic newspapers in this way before. There has always been this community of ‘urban undergound’ publishers and writers who somehow find ways to survive.

“At the same time there are some quite serious moments where prejudice in all its forms is discussed. 

“This is most of all a story of strained friendships, religious strife and how an idea that started off as a joke between some guys sat in a takeaway went on to become something much more significant.”

The book title includes the female name ‘Zaika’ whose meaning is revealed during the course of the story. The story lifts a lid on a whole range of issues relating to politics, race, religion, money, drugs, sex, gender and alcohol which are still relevant today.

Five Guys Named Zaika is available on paperback here

An eBook version will be available this week