A KEEN wordsmith is hurriedly putting pen to paper in a bid to complete her debut novel in time to take part in a race of another kind - Worcester's Race For Life.

Sarah Ganderton, aged 28, of Bridge Street, Worcester, has been writing The Worcester Job - a thriller along the lines of The Italian Job set in the Faithful City - since May last year. The payroll clerk for Droitwich Road-based Craegmoor Health Care is hoping to complete the book in time to run the 5km race around the city's streets, in aid of Cancer Research UK, on Sunday, June 11.

It will be the first time the keen writer has taken part in such a challenge but she hopes to raise the minimum £100 sponsorship needed largely through sales of her book. In a novel twist, the writer is selling one chapter a week, every Tuesday, for 30p a chapter through La Tienda and Buddy's Baguettes in The Tything.

She had, however, put her pen down at Christmas and, although halfway through, not written any more until a couple of weeks ago.

She said: "I'd written bits and I thought it'd be a good way to fund-raise for the event as it'll boost me into writing the rest."

Miss Ganderton has already raised £16 sponsorship through work colleagues and next week will be releasing the third chapter in a bid to boost funds.

She has also ditched the car to walk to work in a bid to shape up for the race in June.

She said: "I'm not really much of a runner - I'm more of a writer. I'm looking forward to it although I'm not planning on doing it very quickly."

Anyone wanting to sponsor Sarah should visit http://www. raceforlifesponsorme.org/sarahganderton