A former languages teacher who went back to university after 20 years in the profession is making waves in the literary world with her new illustration skills.

Genevieve Melaugh, from East Barnet, opted for a change of career and enrolled on an intensive art and design course at Middlesex University.

But she was recommended for an illustration course after a tutor identified her flair for the art.

Now, the former French and Spanish teacher has been praised by the author of mock Victorian novel ‘The Quincunx’ by Charles Palliser, on which she based her final year illustrations.

Mr Palliser described Mrs Melaugh’s illustrations as "beautiful and perceptive”.

She said: “Meeting the author of the novel I was illustrating was an amazing experience. After spending so much time in his world, being able to speak to him was so rewarding.”