A TAUNTON schoolboy has achieved literary acclaim from his favourite author.

During the lockdown Jago B, who attends King’s Hall Taunton, had the surprise of his young life when he entered a national short story competition.

The Year 8 pupil has long been an avid reader of the Alex Rider series of novels by Anthony Horowitz, about a teenage spy named Alex Rider.

So when he saw a competition posted on the author's wensite, calling for short stories from readers, he immediately put pen to paper.

He duly sent off his entry of 500 words and paid little more attention to it until a few weeks later a letter dropped on his doormat announcing he had won.

The judges were impressed by the Taunton based youngster’s entry and said how Jago's story 'was a pleasure to read with exceptional description, an imaginative plot, good characterisation and great pacing/tension'.

Head of English at King’s Hall, Jane Stuckes, said: "Using the story starter, ‘When the doorbell rings at three in the morning, it’s never good news’, as a rip roaring opening, Jago’s stylish action-adventure had me literally holding my breath until the witty punchline ending: ‘Then he bolted from the room.’

"Move over Anthony Horowitz, here comes Jago B. Congratulations Jago, an outstanding story."

Jago’s story will soon be published on the Alex Rider website - alexrider.com – so keep a look out.

As part of the prize the King’s Hall has also won 10 signed copies of the brand new mission in the Alex Rider series, Nightshade, and a class set of Alex Rider secret message pens, bookmarks and stickers.

The author himself, Anthony Horowitz, said: “Well done, Jago. You deserved to win - such a lively, entertaining piece of writing.

"When I was your age, I was nowhere near as good as you.”