» »

The Lido competition

We've once again teamed up with our friends at Orion to give away a voucher for afternoon tea and cocktails for two at the five-star Mondrian London hotel worth £110, plus a copy of a joyous, feel-good book about community, friendship, loneliness and outdoor swimming. The Lido is the debut novel from Libby Page. We're also giving away 25 copies of the book to runners-up.

Meet Rosemary, 86, and Kate, 26: dreamers, campaigners, outdoor swimmers...

Rosemary has lived in Brixton all her life, but everything she knows is changing. Only the local lido, where she swims every day, remains a constant reminder of the past and her beloved husband, George.

Kate has just moved and feels adrift in a city that is too big for her. She's on the bottom rung of her career as a local journalist, and is determined to make something of it.

So when the lido is threatened with closure, Kate knows this story could be her chance to shine. But for Rosemary, it could be the end of everything. Together they are determined to make a stand, and to prove that the pool is more than just a place to swim - it is the heart of the community. The Lido is an uplifting novel about the importance of friendship, the value of community, and how ordinary people can protect the things they love.

"A standout hymn to female friendship and the power of collective action" - Stylist

"The next Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine" - The Independent

"This debut is set to be one of the biggest of the year" - Grazia

Libby graduated from The London College of Fashion with a BA in Fashion Journalism before going on to work at The Guardian and in marketing. She is now a full-time writer, as well as a passionate outdoor swimmer. She and her sister run a blog and Instagram account @theswimmingsisters, documenting their swims and the benefits of outdoor exercise for mental health. Libby began writing at an early age and when she was 16 wrote an illustrated book, Love Pink, to raise money for Breast Cancer Care. Libby lives in London, where she enjoys finding new swimming spots and pockets of community within the city.

The Lido is published by Orion and is available online and from all good booksellers.