A breast cancer survivor has won a Special Achievers Award after publishing three novels online while battling illness.

Tracy Godden was the joint winner of the trophy given by the East Kent Federation of Women’s Institutes.

The 55-year-old, who is a member of Abbey WI, developed a tumour almost overnight in 2011.

After months of treatment, which included a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she was left feeling depressed.

Mrs Godden, of Ashley Close, Halfway, took up writing and painting to help her cope during her recovery.

Her latest check-up last year showed the cancer had not returned.

She has written three books: Pagan Princess, Cursed Princess and Deathly Princess. A fourth book is in the works.

The fantasy tales are inspired by the Anglo-Saxon ship burial site at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, where artefacts including an ornate whetstone and armour were uncovered.

They are a fictionalised account of Raedwald, a seventh-century king of East Anglia, believed by some to have been buried there, and his queen.

Mrs Godden, who did not know she had been put forward for the prize until a week before, said: “It was quite a surprise to win. I would like to thank my family because they all helped me through my illness and encouraged me to write the books.

“Everybody at the WI has been great, very supportive and encouraging.”

The mother of three now gets to spend six months with the trophy until it gets passed on to the other joint winner.

The cashier at Tesco, Sheerness, added she is occasionally complimented on her books by customers.

Abbey WI president Christine Maxwell nominated Mrs Godden for the prize in February and used an article about her in the Times Guardian as evidence.

She said: “It shows what people can do in light of having such a serious illness. She has gone through all the treatment and this is what has spurred her on.”