A CHILDREN'S author from Laverstock is offering a chance for seven to 14 year olds to become trial readers for her new book.

Julia Edwards has written the The Scar Gatherer series — a set of time-travelling novels. The first book The Leopard in the Golden Cage was set in Roman times and Saving the Unicorn's Horn was based in Viking Britain.

The latest book which is due out in the autumn will be entitled The Falconer's Quarry and is set in Tudor England.

She has launched a competition where eight children will win trial copies of the book and be invited to send her comments and feedback to be incorporated in the book's final edit for publication.

Two writing challenges based on the first two books can be found on the website and the best entrants will be invited to become part of the reader panel.

Of the eight winners, the three most useful pieces of feedback will also receive a signed copy of the published book when it comes out in the autumn. The closing date for the competition is May 31, and details of the two writing challenges the children can choose from are on the website.

For full details on the competition visit scargatherer.co.uk.