A Stroud author has won a short story competition for the second year in succession.

Chloe Turner won the local prize, best story from a Somerset, Gloucestershire or Wiltshire writer, in the Bath Short Story Award (BSSA).

She won the award for Witches Sail in Eggshells, an account of the push and pull of attraction between women and the havoc it can cause in relationships.

Judges chose it for its ‘colourful dialogue and empathetic insights that draw the reader into the hearts of the characters and the emotions they feel.’

The unusual title of Chloe's story was inspired by a visit to a witchcraft exhibition at the Museum in the Park.

"It was really good," sad Chloe. "One of the things that stuck in my mind was the idea that people should crush their egg shells otherwise witches will sail in them."

Chloe was presented with book vouchers at Mr B’s Emporium of Books in Bath, the sponsors of the local prize.

Previously her stories have been published in various journals and anthologies.

Her current winning story will appear in the 2018 BSSA anthology.

She also won the short story category in the 2017 Fresher Prize and her story Waiting for the Runners appears in the SALT Publishing anthology, Best British Short Stories 2018.

Chloe is currently working on a novel about Chalford's wool industry in the 17th Century.