AN AUTHOR from Selby has been shortlisted for a national award.

Christina Gabbitas, who set up the first Selby Children's Reading Festival in the town this year, has been named as a finalist for the 2017 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the For Good of the Year award.

More than 1,000 businesses entered the awards nationally across a range of categories, and Christina said she was pleased to have made the shortlist for her work which includes a project with Sheffield Hallam University to create an animation to help teach about safeguarding as part of her work Share Some Secrets.

She said: "I feel very privileged to amongst so many amazing Entrepreneurs and be recognised for the initiatives and work that I have undertaken over the past few years.

"The students have been amazing to work with. I wanted a free resource for all to utilise, children, parents, carers, teachers and anybody working with young children, to encourage them to speak out."

Francesca James, creator of the awards, said: "We have been inundated with some incredible entries this year, and all shortlisted applicants should be extremely proud of themselves! This year has seen a record number of entrants and we’ve been absolutely blown away by the strength and diversity of applications."

To find out more about Share Some Secrets, go to sharesomesecrets.com