A novel about Brighton's criminal underworld could be made into a film by Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino.

Writer David Hurst, 33, lived in the town for two years to write Rumour-Fuelled Society, his new book which is modelled on violent movies like Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Quentin Tarantino, who directed box office hits Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, is interested in turning the book into a film after having it recommended to him by former British gangster "Dodgy" Dave Courtney, a friend of the writer.

It is the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll story of a car jack which goes wrong and ends up with the main character, a florist, going on a journey of self-discovery through Britain, learning about violence and criminality along the way.

As part of his quest to be accurate down to the last detail, David, who works as a freelance journalist, turned to former gangsters for help.

He said: "There is a lot of violence and the book looks at men's issues and the way they think.

"It is gritty and tongue-in-cheek. Guy Ritchie has found a gap in the movie market and we are trying to do the same thing in the book world.

"I have made contact and talked to people who knew what I was talking about first-hand."

He heard about the infamous Brighton Knocker Boys, known for staking out houses in Sussex and ripping off elderly people for their valuable antique furniture and features them in the book.

During his stay in the town David also became friends with Brighton band The Levellers and they are used as a kind of written soundtrack throughout the novel.

David, who is based in London, said: "There is something about Brighton I love. It has a really chilled-out atmosphere and everyone just gets on with their own thing. You can just get drunk and write."

His friend Dave Courtney, who knew the Kray twins, recommended Rumour-Fuelled Society to Tarantino during a recent visit to Hollywood.

David said: "I have heard it is the sort of thing Tarantino is looking for and he said he would certainly look at it for the screen.

"I love what he does and it would be an honour if it was ever turned into a film."

John Altman, who stars as Nasty Nick Cotton in television soap EastEnders and Coronation Street's Martin Hancock have expressed an interest in appearing in the movie after being approached to play parts.