Crime writer Cath Bore has come second in a top literary competition.

Ms Bore beat hundreds of other entries in the contest, part of the Festival of Writing in York, a two-day event bringing together literary agents, publishers and bestselling authors.

She was picked on the promise of the opening chapter of her book, The Missing Link. Set in Merseyside, where Ms Bore lives, it follows the struggle of a detective trying to catch a serial killer who has been murdering call girls.

Ms Bore tells People: "It is quite bloody and violent but that's the way I like it. It is also very character-based."

A former freelance music journalist, Ms Bore is keen to pursue crime writing. "I hope this acknowledgement will help get my name out there. I was made up to come second.

"It's brilliant news and I am now pitching to agents." She is a fan of crime writers Mark Billingham and Val McDermid, among others.