A TEESSIDE woman has achieved a lifetime ambition with the publication of her debut novel.

Anna's Home Front is the first book by Sara Thomson, who balanced her roles as military wife and mother of four with pursuing her life-long dream of becoming an author.

The novel is set in 1940 and follows a war-time journalist and her investigation into the life of an elusive heiress.

While Mrs Thomson, from Stockton, wrote her first picture book at the age of seven, she put her writing ambitions on the backburner to focus on her family and pursue a "normal job".

However, a degree from Teesside University coupled with skills learned on a business development programme for Armed Forces spouses eventually allowed Mrs Thomson to achieve her goal.

The 38-year-old said: "I spent many years suppressing my desire to write and trying to find alternative careers - I lost sight of what is important.

"It's so liberating to finally be accepting myself for who I am and it is through this acceptance that I have been able to write and publish my first novel.

"I'm so pleased I finally took the plunge and began to take my writing seriously.

"Whether my book sells 5,000 copies or five I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and it’s a success in my eyes because I never really gave up my writing dreams.”

Mrs Thomson will host book signing events at Strensall autumn fair, near York on Saturday, October 1, Remember Me Tea Rooms in Stockton from 11am on Wednesday, October 5 and at the Guisborough Book Shop on Saturday, November 5.

For more information or to purchase the book, visit sarathomson.uk.