A BOOK written by two Bishop Auckland authors has won a national prize for community publishing.

Shafts of Light, which was written by Bob McManners and Gillian Wales, took the runner-up award in the Raymond Williams Prize for Community Publishing. The competition was held in London last week.

The book, which traces the history of mining art, won the pair £2,000, which will be put towards future projects.

Announcing the result, Arts Council judges said: "We were each of us fascinated in different ways by this beautiful publication.

"In terms of sociological and economic history, it is an immaculate piece of work.

"It was a revelation to discover how much and how long a history of mining art there is in this country.

"The book displayed some tremendous artwork, including paintings by miners themselves, and we just felt in the end that here was a very perceptive, interesting and beautifully produced book."

Dr McManners, a general practitioner in Bishop Auckland, said: "We were delighted to finish runner-up, especially when we saw the standard of some of the work that was there. Although it is not the world's most well-known prize, it is appropriate to this book and we were amazed to do so well."

Mr McManners and Mrs Wales, who is centre manager at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, are buying examples of mining art with a view to staging an exhibition.

They also have plans for other books, and the prize money will probably go towards publishing costs.

Shafts of Light is available from Bishop Auckland Town Hall, on (01388) 602610, priced at £12.95 plus postage.