OXFORD writer Siobhan Dowd, who died two years ago, is in line for one of Britain's most prestigious book awards.

Her novel Solace of the Road is on this year’s shortlist for the £25,000 Costa Prize, announced this week.

Mrs Dowd, who died of cancer, aged 47, was named as a contender in the children’s category of the award, previously known as the Whitbread prize. She lived with her husband, Geoff, in West Oxford.

Mrs Dowd’s novel is about a teenager who escapes her foster parents and social workers to find her real mother.

The Costa judges said: “We were captivated by this beautifully- written, poignant and ultimately heart-warming story.”

Her sister, Denise Dowd, said her family was “thrilled” that the book had been shortlisted.

“We love this terrific book which features feisty Holly and her roller coaster of adventures. It is a real page-turner and demonstrates Siobhan's wonderful ability to tell a story that is a sheer joy to read,” she said.

Solace of the Road is her fourth novel for Oxford publisher David Fickling Books.

Her previous books all won awards. Royalties go to the Siobhan Dowd Trust, a charity set up to support reading for disadvantaged young people.

The book is competing against Troubador, by west Oxfordshire children’s writer Mary Hoffman, and The Ask and The Answer by Patrick Ness, a former lecturer at Rewley House, Oxford University.

Also in the running, for the novel category, is Oxford author Ali Shaw, for The Girl with Glass Feet.

William Fiennes is nominated for The Music Room, about growing up at Broughton Castle, near Banbury, with his brother.

Ruth Padel, the poet who became embroiled in the controversy over the Professor of Poetry post at Oxford University earlier this year, was selected for the poetry shortlist, for Darwin: A Life in Poems. She was inspired listening to her elderly grandmother’s stories while she was an Oxford classics graduate.

Ms Padel was voted in as Professor of Poetry at Oxford earlier this year, but resigned nine days later. Her supporters had mounted a controversial campaign against the rival candidate, Derek Walcott.

The Costa winners will be announced in January.