A KIDDERMINSTER teacher hit with a devastating brain tumour diagnosis has realised her dream of seeing her debut book in print - and could be on her way to becoming the next Enid Blyton or Roald Dahl.

Katie Smith, head of English at Wyre Forest School, was crowned winner of children's book writing competition Lorraine's Top Tales live on TV in May and her debut story The Pumpkin Project hits book stores nationwide today (Thursday).

But the success is bittersweet for 31-year-old Katie, from Stourbridge, who entered the competition on Lorraine Kelly's ITV show after being told her condition is incurable and she has a 50/50 chance of making it to 40.

She told the Shuttle holding a copy of her book for the first time was "unbelievable" but added: "As much as it's wonderful - I'd give everything up to know that I'm healthy and could just live a normal life."

Katie's husband Luke, aged 32, who has been trying to come to terms with the shock diagnosis which came last autumn just weeks after the couple returned from a dream honeymoon in the United States, said the competition win had come just "at the right time".

The book, about little girl Lottie who grows an enormous pumpkin for a school project, has been described as "a lively, heart-warming adventure" with "definite hints of Roald Dahl in the story" on the lovereading4kids website.

And Katie, who based her lead character on her young niece Lottie Parsons, said: "Just to be mentioned in the same line as Roald Dahl is amazing.”

The English and drama graduate, who had only moved to work at the Wyre Forest School from Dudley's Holly Hall Hall Academy shortly before she started suffering terrible headaches, underwent brain surgery last November but was warned her tumour is likely to return.

She said: "We know it's going to come back at some point - we just hope it won't be for a good few years."

The condition, however, has robbed her of her driving licence and she's currently on sick leave but - not keen to dwell on her fate - she hopes talking about the disease will help to raise the profile and funds for Brain Tumour Research.

According to the charity more people under 40 die of a brain tumour than any other cancer and brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of UK children yet it has been allocated just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research.

And Hugh Adams, head of external affairs at Brain Tumour Research, said: “By speaking out about her experience Katie is helping many other families who find themselves in the same situation. For her to have achieved the publication of her first book during such an awful time is very inspiring."

Anne McNeil, publisher at Hodder Children’s Books part of Hachette Children's Group, said Katie's story was "accomplished in its overall polish" and it was chosen by the judges - after being whittled down from 3,000 entries - because it had a "perfect mix of strong characterisation, a great story arc and a lovely moral".

The Pumpkin Project is available from High Street and online book sellers, priced £6.99.

To keep up-to-date with Katie Smith news follow her on Twitter @katiecake13 and for more information about Brain Tumour Research or to make a donation go to www.braintumourresearch.org