A writer's story about a spinster's secret past won her a literary award.

Mother-of-three Maureen Lee, 57, overcame competition from best-selling writers Erica James and Cathy Kelly to scoop the Parker Romantic Novel of the Year award for her sixth book Dancing in the Dark.

The Colchester writer said she was in a "bit of a daze" after the announcement today (Friday).

Maureen who was born in Bootle, Merseyside, was presented with a £5,000 cheque and a set of Parker Duofold pens.

Her novel, published by Orion, tells the story of Millie Cameron, 29, who discovers her dead Aunt Flo was not the spinster she once imagined.

Maureen, 57, who has also written Stepping Stones, Lights Out Liverpool and Put Out the Fires, was among seven shortlisted writers.

She has more than 150 short stories to her name and bookmakers William Hill gave her odds of five to one to win.

As she unravels the threads of her aunt's life she uncovers a lost child and a secret affair.

The book, which contains references to child abuse and incest, is a world away from the world of Mills & Boon.

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