A CHILDREN’S author came close to winning big on ITV’s The Chase after she was pitted against the show’s big brain The Beast.

Debi Evans, of College Fields, Marlborough, stood alongside three other contestants as she had her general knowledge put to the test on the tea time show.

The writer, who has sold over 70,000 children’s books made it through to the final, in the show which aired at 4.20pm on Saturday.

Ms Evans said: “It was very amusing to have turned on the television on Saturday afternoon to see my adventure on The Chase. Despite a good score of 14 and a couple of push backs he did catch me, but gave me a round of applause!

“Taking part was great fun though but not easy to get on the show, there are gruelling telephone interviews, lots of form filling and a game playing day where only 3 contestants from 30 were picked to go on TV.”

Her most recent set of books follow the tales of her rescue dog Rolo’s secret time travelling adventures.

Each books contains around 13 time travelling adventures and book number four includes trip through the Bronze Age, WW1 Christmas truce of 1914 and Greek Mythology.