by Aline Nassif

aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk

A teacher and author from Croydon has come up trumps in a major literary competition.

Christian Ainley (pictured) – an outspoken critic of the borough's lack of resources for budding writers – has won high praise in the National Best Book 2009 Awards.

The 35-year-old Riddlesdown Collegiate teacher's fantasy adventure, The Enchanted Amulet, secured second place in the contest's "fiction and literature: young adult fiction" category.

Speaking from his home in Fawcett Road, Croydon, just minutes after receiving the good news by e-mail on Tuesday, he said: "I just wasn't expecting it at all. It's a fantastic surprise.

"The category I entered is one of the most competitive, so I'm really delighted."

Christian's success has put him in a difficult position, however.

He is deliberating whether or not to hand in his notice at the Purley-based secondary school, to pursue writing full time.

He said: "It's going to be a tough decision, because I've grown so fond of the children here and I'm doing a lot of exciting work with them.

"I've set up a Friday book club which is a huge success.But if I do decide to quit teaching, at least I'll be an example to my students that it is possible to make a career out of books."