A NEW website is offering up-and-coming writers a chance to find an agent for their work and to take their talent to the attention of industry decision-makers.

The site has been set up by South Shields journalist and PR consultant Ed Waugh and Internet developer Tom Ellens, and will be aimed at literary agents throughout the world.

Mr Waugh came up with the idea following his own failure to find an agent for his own novel. The site can be found at www.primaread.com

Mr Waugh said: "By the time I bought books to find the names and addresses of agents, photocopied my first three chapters, wrote letters and posted them - each with a stamp-addressed envelope - it was very time-consuming and cost about £7 each time I sent it to a publisher or agent.

"Most people send their work out ten times, an expensive business. At the time, I wondered why there was no website like Primaread."

For £5, a writer can have his or her work placed on the site for four weeks and bona fide agents will be issued with an access code and allowed to download scripts free of charge.

If the agent wishes to pursue a novel or play, Primaread will pass on the agent's contact number and address to the author.

Writers must send a CD or diskette containing the first three chapters, which will be copyrighted to the author by being on the site.