A YOUNG illustrator has enjoyed the job of a lifetime working on a new edition of JRR Tolkien’s renowned novel The Hobbit.

Jemima Catlin, from Dorchester, was commissioned by publisher HarperCollins to illustrate a new hardback edition of the book and deluxe slipcase edition that will hit the shelves on Thursday.

The 26-year-old was chosen to work on the first new illustrated edition of the classic children’s book since 1997 after her work on a university project impressed the author’s son Christopher Tolkien.

Jemima explained how she illustrated a Tolkien short story called Roverandom for a project at the Arts University at Bournemouth and sent her work to publisher David Brawn, who in turn passed them on to the Tolkien estate.

Although it was decided that her drawings for Roverandom did not quite fit Tolkien’s vision, shortly after she graduated she was told that Christopher Tolkien had suggested her as the artist for the new illustrated edition of The Hobbit, the first ever specially designed for children.

Jemima, whose grandfather was a Tolkien collector, said: “I was really surprised. I was really excited about Roverandom being a possibility but The Hobbit is just the ultimate.”

After impressing the publishers and Tolkien estate with her preliminary sketches, Jemima was chosen to do the work and threw herself into it, staying up until 1.30am at times working on her drawings and even dreaming about The Hobbit.

She said: “It was my life. It was amazing and I loved every minute of it.”

Jemima, who started writing and illustrating at the age of eight, admitted feeling nervous when she received a parcel containing the finished book.

The former St Osmund's Middle School, Thomas Hardye School and Weymouth College pupil said: “I was really worried but when I opened it I realised it had come out really well. I was really pleased with it.”

Jemima’s name sits underneath that of JRR Tolkien on the front cover and her illustrations have also been collected in a 2014 Hobbit calendar that n THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien was published on September 21, 1937, and was met with instant critical acclaim.

The tale follows Bilbo Baggins on his quest with a group of dwarves and the Wizard Gandalf to claim a share of treasure guarded by the Dragon Smaug.

The book has sold over 100 million copies and been translated into around 50 different languages.

It paved the way for The Lord of the Rings, which sold an estimated 150 million copies, with a big screen version hitting screens in 2001. The first Hobbit film was released last year.

* THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien was published on September 21, 1937, and was met with instant critical acclaim.

The tale follows Bilbo Baggins on his quest with a group of dwarves and the Wizard Gandalf to claim a share of treasure guarded by the Dragon Smaug.

The book has sold over 100 million copies and been translated into around 50 different languages.

It paved the way for The Lord of the Rings, which sold an estimated 150 million copies, with a big screen version hitting screens in 2001. The first Hobbit film was released last year.