He started writing stories and novels after he left full-time journalism. He has also written for "Sooty", "Brookeside" "Count Duckula", "Behind the Bike Sheds", and "The Bill" as well as quite a few novels for both children and adults. He has also written a "young person's" range of books which simplifies classic novels like "Moby Dick" for children. Needle also wrote a sequel to "The Wind in the Willows" titled "Wild Wood" (the illustrations were done by Willie Rushton).