FIRST-time author Mike Doodson has won Amazon’s national Christmas writing competition with a modern re-telling of A Christmas Carol.

Mike, 30, wrote his children’s book A Christmas Squirrel for his new-born daughter’s first festive season.

The story follows a grumpy, greedy squirrel who discovers the spirit of generosity from three wise trees as he learns to share what he has with the woodland creatures around him.

The tale is brought to life with illustrations by celebrated children’s illustrator, Ian Beck, and is available in print, on the Kindle app for iOS and Android, and via any Kindle or Fire tablet.

In addition to having his book illustrated, Mike wins a £2,000 Amazon.co.uk gift card, a new Fire tablet and an Amazon.co.uk marketing campaign to support the book launch.

Taffy Thomas, storytelling expert and competition judge, said: “Mike’s story is magical and will delight families this Christmas, and I particularly like the food-sharing element of Mike’s re-telling. The tale’s link to the natural world is lovely. It is a great story of rhyme and reason.”

A digital marketing manager for a Mobberley technology solutions business and aspiring author by night, Mike, a first-time dad, beat hundreds of entries in the search to find a modern equivalent to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

His story about compassion and forgiveness captured the hearts of the judging panel, which included children’s author Cerrie Burnell, Ian Beck, last year’s winner Lucy Banks and members of the Amazon UK books team.

Mike wrote the tale for his six-month-old daughter, Anais, and said: “I’m delighted that my interpretation of such an inspiring Christmas classic has won the competition, and I hope readers will enjoy my re-invented tale reminding us about the true meaning of Christmas.

“The themes of redemption, repentance and forgiveness underpin the magic of this time of year, and regardless of whether I won or not, I thought an uplifting take on the classic story would be the perfect Christmas present for my daughter.”

Ian Beck, whose career includes writing and illustrating the children’s classic The Teddy Robber and the album art for Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, said: “The story of a Christmas squirrel is a perfect depiction of the meaning behind A Christmas Carol.”