A BORDERS award-winning novelist has been appointed as the Creative Writing Fellow with Tyne and Esk Writers.

Margaret Skea already has five novels and a book of short stories to her credit.

The St Andrew's graduate from Kelso is well-placed to mentor and encourage the eight local groups of aspiring writers in East Lothian and Midlothian, as well as critiquing their work during the winter months.

Margaret, who has also studied creative writing, is a recent chair of the Borders Writing Group..

She told us: "I see my role as a mentor to enable members of the groups to improve and develop their writing skills whether they are writing for pleasure of aiming for publication.

"The groups comprise members who are writing at all stages of development."

During her initial meetings with the groups Margaret included mini workshops while also providing an opportunity for constructive critiquing of members new work.

Margaret’s own books are historical fiction and based on conflict.

She explained: "I grew up in Ulster at the height of the Troubles, so it was perhaps inevitable that I would one day write about living with conflict."

Her first award-winning book Turn of the Tide is based in Scotland and features two warring clans.