A NORTH-EAST author has won a newly-launched short story competition with her tale of a Chinese grandmother who finds herself living in rural County Durham.

Christine Powell, from Stanhope, County Durham, was presented with her award at a ceremony in Durham City last night, after judges praised her short story, Diagonal Flight, for its "perfect pitch and flow".

The competition was set up by judges Gillian Wales, Bishop Auckland author Wendy Robertson and 2012 Costa Short Story prize winner Avril Joy, of Witton-le-Wear.

In 2012, the three women formed Room To Write, a community organisation dedicated to encouraging new writers to improve their skills through conferences and workshops.

Earlier this year, they launched their inaugural Short Story competition, which was won by Mrs Powell, who said: "I do quite a bit of writing, and run a writers' group here in Stanhope. Short stories are my love really, so having the opportunity to write one is brilliant.

"It was brilliant to win, especially as its a local competition."

The judging panel described her story as: "A beautifully crafted story. We were impressed by its original viewpoint and fine writing. It focuses on the particular and at the same time reveals universal truths applicable to us all."

Mrs Powell's story will be printed in the Northern Echo's Weekend supplement this Saturday.