Former Conservative Prime Minister John Major is to give his own version of the turbulent years in Downing Street after striking a lucrative deal for his autobiography.

Ground to be covered in the book will include the most difficult moments of Mr Major's seven years at No 10, including the fractious in-fighting over Europe which did so much to bring an end to the 18 years of Tory power.

Mr Major said he was delighted to have struck the deal. ''Politics can be an extraordinary roller-coaster ride and the last few years brought together a turbulent mixture of events,'' he said.

He suggested the book would be a frank account of the behind-the-scenes events during his leadership of the party. ''I look forward to setting out how I saw this and what happened behind the headlines.''

The fee for the book, to be published by London-based HarperCollins UK - the company which published Norma Major's book on Chequers last year - has not been disclosed.

It is unlikely to match the #3.5m which Margaret Thatcher is thought to have received for her book, The Downing Street Years.

The publishing company's executive chairman, Eddie Bell, was thrilled with the deal. ''This is a real coup for us. John Major has a fascinating story to tell. From his humble start in life, his childhood in Brixton, to becoming Prime Minister and running the country.

''Most people write their autobiographies as they fade away from public life and active work. John Major is just 54 and starting a new lease of life - it will be a gripping read which will be a fascinating and honest insight into everything that happened during his tenure.''

Publication of the work, expected to run to about 400,000 words, has been pencilled in for 1999.