A top literary award has been launched in memory of bestselling Suffolk novelist Ruth Rendell, Baroness Rendell of Babergh.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ruth Rendell at her home in Groton, near Hadleigh, in 2006. PICTURE TUDOR MORGAN-OWENRuth Rendell at her home in Groton, near Hadleigh, in 2006. PICTURE TUDOR MORGAN-OWEN (Image: Archant)

The National Literacy Trust and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society launched the Ruth Rendell Award on Tuesday, on what would have been her 87th birthday.

It will be presented by her son, Simon Rendell, at a ceremony at the House of Commons in December to an author who has made a significant contribution to raising literacy levels in the UK, be it through their writing or their advocacy and championing of literacy.

Nominations for people, based on their work in the past year, are being sought from schools, charities, libraries, booksellers and individuals.

The closing date for entries is May 31.

Baroness Rendell, who also wrote as Barbara Vine, died in January 2015 after a stroke left her critically ill.

Mr Rendell said: “Ruth would be delighted with the idea of an award for literacy, reading was a huge part of her life both professionally and privately.

“I look forward to presenting the award to a worthy winner [in] December.”

For more information, visit www.literacytrust.org.uk/ruthrendellaward.