AN aspiring writer is aiming to be named the best undiscovered talent nationally.

Pete Mactaggart, of Ripon, has written the novel Flying Babies over Fallen Homes.

His work won the North of England regional final in the Undiscovered Authors National Writing Competition.

He won £1,000 and goes on to the final at the end of May.

He said: "To have my book, my story and my inspiration made available to people who love to read is what it is all about and a great boost to my writing confidence."

Mr Mactaggart was brought up in Africa and the Caribbean and is currently in Senegal helping Oxfam. He began writing his winning novel in Darfur and went on to complete it in the foothills of the Himalayas.