A NORTH-EAST student has set her sights on becoming the next JK Rowling. Amy Wilde, 21, from Skelton, east Cleveland, has always had a passion for children's books and has collected thousands of them over the years.

Now she has written and illustrated her own book, for which she has been highly commended in the Macmillan Children's Picture Book Illustration competition.

Her book is the story of a friendship between a small boy called Buster and a giant chicken called Squeezer.

Amy, who is in her final year of a BA (Hons) degree in graphic design at the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, said: "It's a bizarre relationship but they get along and Squeezer defends Buster against some bullies.

"I was absolutely shocked to achieve the highly commended category in a national competition. I thought I wouldn't stand a chance. I'd really love to see the book produced."

Amy, who said her parents Jill and Steve were proud of her achievement, has just completed work experience with a children's book publisher in London and is aiming to make it a career.

"I thought of the character names Buster and Squeezer after a university trip to New York, where we were attending a graphic design conference.

"I met a man walking his two pug dogs called Buster and Squeezer. I like pug dogs and thought the names were wonderful," she said.