PRIZE-WINNING literary newcomer Tessa Biddington – a Forest charity worker – has been nominated as an 'Outstanding Adult Learner.'

She only started writing seriously four years ago, but already her work is winning coveted prizes – and Tessa puts her literary prowess down to a chance decision to go to a 'writing for pleasure and profit' class at the Royal Forest of Dean College.

"Until I joined the class, my writing was confined to letters, diaries or reports," says Tessa. "I never believed I had a particular gift for it. After all, just because I enjoyed writing did not mean I was good at it!

"I qualified as a teacher in 1995 but half way through my first term, I was devastated by glandular fever and had to give up, exhausted. During that time, I wrote a short story and showed it to a friend, who showed it to someone who happens to be a world famous writer. He told me I should go to creative writing classes to learn about the nuts and bolts of writing for publication and it all started from there," she recalls.

Last year, Tessa, who works with victims of domestic violence, not only won a £1,000 prize for a work of fiction at the Bridport International Prize writing awards, but a £500 prize for poetry as well.

"I had no idea what I was capable of until my tutor, Paul Groves, showed me. I cannot believe how my horizons have been expanded through the doors he has opened. I've grown in confidence with every achievement. I understand how marvellous learning is – and I hope I never stop learning. The class opened my mind, challenged preconceptions and gave me skills."

She has used these skills at work, by writing a play and a newsletter and by leading by example.

Says Tessa: "It's difficult to demonstrate to someone who's lost their home, their partner and their belongings that life can change. Now, when I encourage them to take up learning and obtain new skills, I feel they are more positive, more willing to take the chance."

Her husband Les and children Chloe, 17, and Toby, 16, are proud of her achievements and act as sounding boards for her work.