A writer who hails from Poole has won the Dundee International Book Prize.

Former Parkstone Grammar School girl Amy Mason, who now lives in Oxford, scooped the £10,000 prize and a publishing deal for her debut novel The Other Ida.

The book follows a woman who is named after a hit play written by her hard-drinking mother and returns to her home when the older woman succumbs to alcoholism.

Amy, 32, whose parents still live in Ashley Cross, was selected from among some 400 entries from across the world.

The judging panel included novelist Neil Gaiman and broadcaster Kirsty Lang.

Earlier in her career, Amy undertook work experience at the Daily Echo in Bournemouth when she was 18.

She said: “Winning the prize is obviously completely brilliant.

“I entered on a whim, and cried every time I got to another stage in the competition.”

She added: “To get the novel published, and [with it] enough money to keep me writing for a year, is amazing.

“It’s taken a long time to get here, but I’m delighted I can put Ida to bed in such a happy way.

“I said I’d never write another book, but have already started on the next one.”