A CHILDREN'S book created by a Tavistock couple has been shortlisted for a highly sought-after award.

Husband and wife Steve Wilson and Lucy Tapper launched their first book 'Hedgehugs' last year and instantly received world-wide recognition.

Now the much-loved book has been shortlisted for the Evening Standard's children's book award — Oscar's First Book Prize.

Steve said: 'Hedgehugs is in the final which is a very big deal in the book world — we even pipped Julia Donaldson (Gruffalo author) to the final five.

'Lucy and I are absolutely over the moon, just to be shortlisted is amazing. Fingers crossed!'

The prize was launched last year in memory of executive editor Jame Ashton's son Oscar, who died at the age of three of an undetected heart condition. Judges of the award will include Mr Ashton, his wife and Oscar's mother Viveka Alvestrand, and actress Gillian Anderson from X-Files, The Fall and Bleak House.

The winner will be announced this evening (Thursday) in London.

Steve and Lucy have also been selected as finalists in two other major awards — The Heart of Hawick Award on May 14 in Scotland and also The People's Book Prize on May 27 in London.

Steve added: 'It's such an achievement to be finalists in all these awards.'