A young woman from King's Lynn has won a prestigious literary award.

Abigail Peters, 23, received the Clarissa Luard Award for new and emerging writers last week.

The award gives £10,000 to one writer every two years.

Its recipient is chosen by the winner of the £40,000 David Cohen Prize, which was won by John Burnside in 2023.

Mr Burnside taught Ms Peters at St Andrew's University while she was studying for her Masters degree in Creative Writing.

READ MORE: Henry Lamb wins BVA's Young Vet of the Year award 2023

Upon announcing his winner, he said Ms Peters was a gifted writer that people would be reading "for decades to come". 

Ms Peters is currently working on her first book, a coming-of-age novel set in the Norfolk fens.

She grew up in King's Lynn and attended Springwood High School and Sixth Form.

She said of her win: "As a young writer there is no greater joy than having your work recognised by an established writer.

"John Burnside is not only that but also a wonderful professor, and I am so honoured that he has chosen me for this year’s Clarissa Luard Award.

"I have always been deeply passionate for a future as a writer, but winning this award has made that dream come into focus and I cannot wait for what's yet to come."