WINNING book reviews for the first Westmorland Gazette and Kendal Ottakar's New Authors - New Reviewers project featured the new novels The Piano Teacher by Lynn York and Miracles of Santo Fico by D. L. Smith.

Rosey Darbishire of Ulverston had the winning review for The Piano Teacher, which will be featured alongside this book of the month title in the Kendal Ottakar's.

The runner-up was the review of The Miracles of Santo Fico presented by Gwen Green of Kendal. Both reviewers received gift vouchers from Ottakar's.

The winning reviews, along with those for three other books, are posted in the Leisure New Authors, New Reviewers section on www.thisisthelakedistrict.co.uk.

"We launched the project together to give local readers a chance to influence the titles selected for the local market," said Web Editor Kate Harrison Whiteside.

"The response was over-whelming."

Local authors have also been requesting reviews from the project's panel.

The project will continue with New Authors' reviewers needed quarterly.

The next selection of books is available this month.

Interested reviewers should send their name, address and contact information to: kate.whiteside@ kendal.newsquest.co.uk or post it to Kate Whiteside, Web Editor, The Westmorland Gazette, 1 Wainwright's Yard, Kendal, LA9 4DP.