Whitbread newcomer triumphs

A little-known author has triumphed over Ian McEwan and Andrew Miller to win the 2001 Whitbread Novel Award.

The Whitbread's panel deemed Patrick Neate's second novel Twelve Bar Blues superior to McEwan's Atonement and Miller's Oxygen - both of which were shortlisted for, but failed to win, the Booker Prize.

Cambridge-educated Mr Neate, 31, from Shepherd's Bush, said today: "It's great but a bit embarrassing in a good way.

"Ian McEwan is such a good writer and Andrew Miller's book is fantastic - I feel as if I have entered the world of grown-ups by accident."

Mr Neate will collect £5,000 and compete for the Whitbread Book of the Year.