A long-awaited sequel to the story of a young man seduced by an older woman has finally seen the light of day.

Home School follows on from where The Graduate left off, about ten years after hero Benjamin Braddock liberates his girlfriend Elaine from her wedding to stop her marrying a man she doesn't love.

Both stories were written by Californian-born Charles Webb, who lives in Hove. Mr Webb, 66, has yet to agree to a publishing deal for Home School but a taster has been printed in a national newspaper.

The book has been completed for some time but Mr Webb originally said he did not want it to be published in his lifetime.

Following a change of heart, he agreed to let The Times publish a short piece.

The Graduate was written in 1963. The characters of Benjamin and Elaine were based on Mr Webb and his partner Fred, who met in college. The author claims the affair with the older woman was fictional.

Like its predecessor, Home School examines the failings of the traditional education system.

It was inspired by Mr Webb and his partner Fred's experiences of teaching their own children at a time when the practice was unheard of and frowned upon by the establishment.

In the extract in The Times, Benjamin and Elaine are told by their local superintendent of schools and elementary principal they must re-enroll their children in the system. Instead they persuade Elaine's mother, the original Mrs Robinson, to have an affair with the principal so they can blackmail him.

Mr Webb has always said the film of The Graduate focused too heavily on Benjamin's relationships rather than the real theme - his dissatisfaction with the limits of his education.

He said: "The theme was about educators. What people don't realise - this character I feel had been failed by the education system. The sequel is about these characters as they reach the point when they have children."

Mr Webb and Fred home-educated their two sons. One now works for a petroleum research company. The other is an artist in LA.

In 2001 the couple moved to Hove from Newhaven, where they had lived since 1997. Home School was written while Mr Webb was spending a lot of time at home caring for Fred, who suffered a serious nervous breakdown five years ago.

After spending time in institutions, against medical advice Fred came off all medication. Since then she has been recovering by spending most of her time asleep.

Mr Webb believes sleep therapy could help others suffering from depressive illnesses and is trying to liaise with mental health charity Sane to share his experiences.

The couple are also trying to overcome severe financial problems after being threatened with eviction.

The Graduate film grossed £60 million but Mr Webb sold the movie rights for £14,000. He is preparing to attempt to sell his and Fred's grave plots on eBay. The plots in Brighton's Woodvale Cemetery, were bought when the couple believed Fred might not recover from her illness.