A new author is born.

Tessa Milligan was delighted when her first book-signing event as a new author saw all the copies sold.

Mrs Milligan was at the WHSmith’s branch, in the Royal Victoria Place shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells on Saturday to promote her book The Shortbread Tales.

She had spent more than 20 years working in the offshore contracting industry, based in Aberdeen, which she said afforded her "some wonderful opportunities to observe human behaviour in the hostile working environment of the North Sea."

Her book consists of 20 funny short tales gleaned from her true experiences.

She said: "The tales are suited to all age groups and delivered with insight into human nature. I hope my book thought provoking and amusing at the same time."

The tales include encounters with the SAS in Borneo, a journey through the islands of Vanuatu during a cyclone, robberies and a ghost story.

Several stories are based in Kent.

Mrs Milligan, 65, has lived in Speldhurst for the past 15 years.

She said: "Each yarn is self-contained and can be dipped into and provide perfect reading during a tea break."

The book can be found at WHSmith’s locally, or directly from the publishers Austin Macauley.

The paperback version costs £8.99, with the ISBN 9781528998826.

Read more: All the latest news from Tunbridge Wells