First of five in our second week of readings highlighting the best short fiction from Creative Writing Groups in the North of England, following our successful first selection, which aired in the summer of 2006. Over 250 creative writing groups in the North of England were invited to offer stories - two from each group - for Radio 4's afternoon readings slot. It's a rare opportunity for writers new to radio to have their work broadcast and more than 100 writers rose to the challenge.

Karen Wolfe (aka Whitchurch) was also successful in our first series with another story ¨Squirrels¨ -- the only writer to feature in both weeks of readings.